Stories by Erica Gunderson

Hear what viewers had to say about Paris Schutz's interview with Mayor Emanuel, our report on Cook County's dip in population and Chicago State University facing closure due to the state budget standoff when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

A political cartoon from the Newberry Library’s John T. McCutcheon collection depicts interviews with various voters about their thoughts concerning the 1936 election. Sentiments expressed then mirror opinions of today’s political landscape. Peruse the political cartoons.

Last week, the Illinois Supreme Court dealt Mayor Rahm Emanuel a huge blow, overturning reforms to two pension funds for city workers. The city argued reforms guaranteed previously unsecured retiree benefits, but the state’s high court wasn’t having it.

It has already cut its school year short and is now warning of hundreds of layoffs. Chicago State University's chancellor says the school is in shock because the state budget stalemate has starved it of funding. But is the 150-year-old school in danger of closing? 

Watch the March 30, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Every discussion of crime, poverty or high incarceration rates points back – in part – to jobs. For the last three years an innovative restaurant job-training program in Evanston has been providing support and practical experience to young men and more recently, women. Jay Shefsky went to Curt's Cafe to learn more.

In recent years there's been a modest resurgence in America's manufacturing sector but some economists believe the U.S. will never again be the manufacturing powerhouse it once was. However, new technologies, especially 3-D printing, are what some say will transform American industry and Chicago is getting on board. 

A new study shows why Neanderthal DNA can be bad for you. Astronomers capture visual evidence of an exploding star. And sometimes, it’s a bad idea to go to the Internet for help. Rabiah Mayas from the Museum of Science and Industry joins “Chicago Tonight” to examine these stories and more.

Crain’s Chicago Business managing editor Ann Dwyer takes a closer look at Chicago-based aerospace giant Boeing’s latest move to cut costs by slashing 4,000 jobs, changes at Tribune Publishing and what Chicago Cubs fans should expect on opening day.

Chicago Sun-Times theater critic Hedy Weiss appraises the first performance staged in the recently opened Writers Theatre and the humorous one-man show, “Where Did We Sit on the Bus?” Get her take on these plays and others on currently on stage in Chicago. 

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Eddie Johnson, his pick for CPD interim superintendent, has received support inside and outside of the police department. “I think he has the chops to make the changes that are necessary,” Emanuel said to Paris Schutz.

Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland meets with Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, despite the GOP leadership's refusal to meet with an Obama nominee. We speak with WBEZ's Tony Arnold on the implications of this first courtesy call to a Republican senator.

Watch the March 29, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Blair Thomas has chased Melville’s story for over 25 years. His efforts manifest this weekend in a performance at the MCA.  

A giant Bridgeport warehouse is home to the city's largest collection of vintage props for movies and TV. Jay Shefsky takes us behind the scenes.  

FBI Special Agent in Charge Michael Anderson, who was recently appointed to lead the Chicago office, addresses concerns over data collection by the government, public corruption and the difficulties of policing after the Laquan McDonald shooting.

Parents of Chicago Public Schools students still searching for alternatives to attending school this Friday will have their pick of 262 contingency sites announced today by the district. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union has released a tentative schedule of events, which includes picketing schools and rallying downtown during rush hour.

The latest U.S. Census Bureau reported a dubious distinction for Cook County: the second most-populous U.S. county now leads the nation in population loss with over 10,000 fewer residents in 2015 than just a year before. 

Badgers are known for their elusiveness: the mostly solitary animals travel and forage at night, moving from one place to another very quickly. But wildlife biologists recently got lucky and caught one in northwest Cook County.

Chicago public school teachers will go on a one-day strike this Friday that may or may not be legal. Chicago Public Schools Chief Forrest Claypool joins “Chicago Tonight” to talk about the upcoming one-day teachers strike and what parents should do. 

Watch the March 28, 2016 full episode of "Chicago Tonight."

Hear what viewers had to say about our talk with CTU president Karen Lewis and our web story on a new water treatment plant that uses ultraviolet light to help clean the Chicago River when we read feedback from the "Chicago Tonight" website, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.

How will rank-and-file police officers react to the mayor's unexpected appointment of CPD veteran Eddie Johnson? Two former Chicago Police officers share their perspectives on Emanuel's pick and to aldermen inserting themselves more into the selection process.

In the wake of the attacks in Brussels, the recently appointed Special Agent in Charge for the FBI division in Chicago joins “Chicago Tonight” to discuss the challenges in addressing terrorist threats.

In the Loop, a photographic feast is now being served. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the Museum of Contemporary Photography combed its archives to find the pictures that best reflect the character of the museum. What they found were dramatic images from the 19th century to the 21st.

In a surprise end-run, Mayor Emanuel shuns the recommendations of his police board and makes it known he wants Eddie Johnson to be police superintendent.