Stories by Erica Gunderson

For Chicago’s municipal workers, the Christmas of 1904 was shaping up to be a sorry one indeed. The city was so broke it couldn’t pay municipal employees. But three days before Christmas, Santa Claus himself emerged from City Hall to save the workers’ Christmas. Well – kind of.

Illinois' population declined in 2016 for the third straight year, losing more people than any other state in the union. The drop of more than 37,000 people leaves Illinois with a population just north of 12.8 million.

The actress, famous for her role as Princess Leia, died Tuesday morning at the age of 60.

Meet a former elite soldier from Australia who is now using his special set of skills to combat poaching in Africa.

Bold paintings from the 1920s, plus photographs and industrial design: A new show looks at an international artist who made a big impression in Chicago.

Watch the Dec. 22, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

What do billionaire Ken Griffin, Gov. Bruce Rauner and a select few Chicago aldermen have in common? They all had direct access to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's personal email account on which he conducted city business.

The University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute wants to show school and policy leaders how evidence-based research can help improve schools and student achievement.

Cardinal Blase Cupich talks with us about his elevation to that position, the challenges facing Chicago, and how the church can better serve the community.

Singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks joins us in discussion and performance of two songs that could win Grammy Awards in February.

He was a literary giant who chronicled the seedy side of the city. We talk with the author of a new biography about Chicago writer Nelson Algren.

You’re probably aware that Chicago has high schools specializing in math and science as well as the arts, but did you know that Chicago’s big urban school system has an agricultural high school?

Backstage at the Joffrey Ballet before the recent launch of the all-new “Nutcracker” set in Chicago.

From the foster system to one of the hottest restaurants in town: How one young man is “mixing it up.”

Watch the Dec. 21, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Not that long ago, air pollution from burning coal made the Windy City more like the Smoggy City. Geoffrey Baer tells us how Chicago cleaned up its act.

Tattoos are making a big impression at the Field Museum. We visit the exhibition about the history and culture of the tattoo.

The Dow flirts with the 20,000 mark. Twists and turns at the Chicago Tribune. A look at those stories and other business headlines of 2016 with Crain’s Chicago Business.

The city of Chicago wants your feedback on new streetlights. That and other infrastructure projects with Rebekah Scheinfeld, the head of the city’s transportation department.

The Chicago Sun-Times columnist muses on weathering the holidays without alcohol and his anthology on addiction, “Out of the Wreck I Rise: A Literary Companion to Recovery.”

Thanks to a major donation from Chicago billionaire Ken Griffin, the 18-mile Lakefront Trail is getting a makeover that will ease congestion.

While U.S. unemployment is at its lowest point in years, a new report shines a light on a racial disparity that’s especially prominent in Illinois. 

Planning is underway to open a recovery-based high school designed specifically for students dealing with substance abuse disorders in downtown Chicago next year.

Treat family and friends to a Chicago-style Christmas. Here are 10 things to do in and around the city.

Watch the Dec. 20, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

As Aleppo falls to Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran, we look at the United States’ role in the conflict and the region.