Stories by Erica Gunderson
Ask Geoffrey
Revisit a favorite episode with our resident history expert
Geoffrey Baer answers viewer questions about a unique painting that adorns an Old Town condo building, a prolific mural painter of the 1920s and '30s, and the origins of a giant map of Chicago that's visible from the river in this encore edition of Ask Geoffrey, which originally aired on March 25.
Steppenwolf Poised to Open '1984' as Young Adults Show
This adaptation was first produced at Lookingglass Theatre in 2004
George Orwell’s dystopian classic takes the stage at Steppenwolf starting Oct. 21 as part of the theater's Young Adults series.
Emanuel Property Tax Hike to Spare Low, Middle-Income Homeowners
A plan to exempt low- and middle-income homeowners from the coming city-wide property tax hike runs into some resistance. Just who would benefit and who might bear more of the tax burden under the plan? Paris Schutz has the story.
AC/DC Concert Tech, a Lifelong Cubs Fan, Returns to Wrigley Field
From Fergie to Ozzy, Chicago-native Tim "Grape" Mattefs has traveled the world as a touring live concert technician. But the lifelong Chicago Cubs fan has never experienced a live performance at Wrigley Field, until now. In the midst of a massive world tour with Australian rock and roll giants AC/DC, Mattefs will take the field of the "friendly confines" on Tuesday for a sold-out rock show of the ages.
US Fed Rate Hike: Will It Come in September?
The Federal Reserve’s two-day September meeting begins on Wednesday. During that meeting, officials will decide whether or not to increase interest rates for the first time in years. We discuss the possibility of a quarter of a percentage interest rate hike with experts.
Chicago Sells Vacant Lots for $1 as Large Lots Program Returns
The city of Chicago announced it is expanding a program that allows residents to purchase vacant city-owned lots for $1. Starting Tuesday, applications for lots in the Roseland and Pullman neighborhoods will be accepted through Oct. 31. Learn more about the program.
Photos: Bizarre Vintage Field Museum Taxidermy
Archival photos from the Field Museum depict researchers and the taxidermy they worked on – and loved posing with.
Chicago Plays Host to Elite Triathletes at World Final, Championships
More than 6,500 athletes compete this weekend
Chicago lost out on the Olympics to Rio but this week, world titles will be at stake as 6,500 pro- and age-group triathletes compete in the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and World Championships. Chicago Tonight's Elizabeth Brackett will be one of them – she tells us what to expect.
GOP Debate: What to Expect in Round 2
Trump, Carson and Fiorina Among 11 Candidates in Wednesday Debate
Eleven GOP presidential hopefuls will meet for a second prime-time cable news debate Wednesday. Donald Trump still leads the polling but retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson’s numbers have surged as has the profile of former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. We discuss what to expect from tomorrow night’s debate.
Rita Moreno Shares Stories, Honors Local Author
Star of screen, stage, TV and music, talks about her amazing career
Celebrated actor, singer and dancer Rita Moreno is in Chicago to honor Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street, at an awards ceremony on Wednesday night. Tuesday, the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award-winning artist joins Chicago Tonight to share stories from her incredible life and career.
New Joffrey Ballet Recruits Talk Dance in an Increasingly Digital World
The Joffrey Ballet just hired 10 new dancers; you may have already met 2 of them
New Joffrey Ballet dancers speak about their experience with crafting public persona in the world of professional ballet.
South Side Trauma Center a Victory, But Activists Continue Fight for Equity
Activists in Chicago have scored a major victory in the form of a new adult trauma center for the city's South Side. While the new facility is being hailed as a big step toward health care equity in an underserved area, activists say much more needs to be done. Eddie Arruza joins us with details.
Chicago Bears Lose Season Opener to Green Bay Packers 31-23
Former Bear James 'Big Cat' Williams on the Packers Win at Soldier Field
The outcome was as expected: the Super-Bowl caliber Green Bay Packers beat the rebuilding Chicago Bears in the season-opener at Soldier Field. But the Bears ability to effectively run the ball, limit penalties, and run a more up-tempo offense surpassed most fans' expectations. Former Bear James "Big Cat" Williams gives us his take on the first game of the season. Also, don't miss our preview of next Sunday's game with Craig Morgan, a Chicago native and Arizona sports reporter.
How You Can Help Chicago Researchers with a Wild Science Project
A group of local science researchers want your help on a truly wild project. Learn about Chicago Wildlife Watch, and how you can help them better understand the urban ecosystem of Chicago.
Chicago Teachers Union on Contract Negotiations, Likelihood of Strike
Class is in session for what could be a hectic year at Chicago Public Schools, which may face layoffs in the middle of the school year if state lawmakers don’t come through with $480 million. On top of that, district officials are negotiating a new contract with the Chicago Teachers Union. CTU Vice President Jesse Sharkey gives us an update on contract negotiations and the likelihood of a teachers strike.
Should Chicago Accept More Syrian Refugees?
Should the United States and Chicago accept more Syrian refugees, in light of the crisis in Europe? President Obama has put the number at 10,000 but some local officials say it should be much higher. Paris Schutz has the story.
Pension Payments for Some Government Workers Continued After Death
An investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Better Government Association finds that pension funds for government workers are continuing to pay benefits to some retirees long after the retiree and their spouse have died. One of the lead investigators on the story breaks it down for us.
Tony Award-Winning Choreographer Works with New Joffrey Talent
Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon is in town to work with veterans of his choreographic style at the Joffrey Ballet and some new kids on the block – the Joffrey recently added 10 dancers to the company. Wheeldon joins us in advance of the Joffrey's 60th anniversary season, kicking off Wednesday with the program Millennials.
Viewer Feedback: Sept. 14
We share what you had to say about some of our recent stories when we read viewer feedback from the Chicago Tonight website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.
CPS Chief Sends Child to Private School
Chicago Tonight has learned that the new head of the Chicago Public Schools, Forrest Claypool, sends his child to Francis W. Parker, an exclusive, private school in Lincoln Park.
Chicago Bears Poised to Tackle Green Bay Packers in NFL's Oldest Rivalry
'Big Cat' and the Bears returns Monday
The Chicago Bears kick off the 2015 NFL season at noon this Sunday against division rivals the Green Bay Packers. After a dismal 5-11 outing in 2014, new head coach John Fox and general manager Ryan Pace were brought in to pick up the pieces and the Bears will take the field with a lot to prove.
The ‘First Contemporary American Play’: Kimberly Senior on ‘Disgraced’
Prize-winning drama begins previews at Goodman Theatre Saturday
Chicago director Kimberly Senior talks about her experiences directing – for the fourth time – playwright Ayad Akhtar's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Disgraced.
Chicago Tonight: The Week in Review, Sept. 11
Joel Weisman and guests discuss the first day of school for CPS students and teachers, the enduring state budget stalemate and more on local business news, crime and sports.
Top Stories of the Week: Sept. 11
What did you miss? Catch up on the most-read stories online
From a tiny extinct fish to a possible property tax hike, here are the five stories Chicago Tonight readers were most interested in during the past seven days.
Trending
Obamas Celebrate Chicago Roots, Power of Community During Presidential Center’s Opening
Hear From the Architects Behind the Obama Presidential Center
What to Know About the History of Juneteenth and How It Became a Federal Holiday
Chicago Man Facing Hate Crime Charges After Cross Burning in Grant Park
Chicago’s Deputy Mayor for Community Safety on Teen Takeovers, Restorative Justice and the Value of Belonging
Sign up for the WTTW News newsletter