Stories by erica gunderson

(WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools Pilot Program Aims to Bring More Black Men into Teaching Field

According to CPS data, fewer than 4% of CPS teachers are Black men. In a school district where 36% percent of students are Black, that’s a striking imbalance. 

Rogelio Lopez, An East Side CPS counselor. (WTTW News)

‘La Ultima Palabra’ on Initiating Change in Your Community

Rogelio Lopez, An East Side CPS counselor, gives “Latino Voices” La Ultima Palabra on what he says is the most daunting part of bringing change to your community.

Former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez speaks about the launch of Our Nation’s Future at the Union League Club of Chicago, Friday June 17, 2022. (WTTW News)

Former US Rep Luis Gutierrez Gets to Work on ‘Our Nation’s Future’

Former U.S. Congressman Luis Gutierrez is coming out of retirement to announce the formation of a new immigration reform organization. His group Our Nation's Future aims to help people with green cards become naturalized citizens by educating immigrants on the path to citizenship and advocating for a modernized immigration system.

A Chicago Public Schools classroom is pictured in a file photo. (WTTW News)

As New School Year Starts, Programs Look to Provide Chicago Kids Access to Needed Internet Services

As school starts back up, students especially rely on the internet for everything from research to turning in their homework. But for some of those students, reliable internet access is still tough to come by. A few area programs are looking to change that. 

Students walk in CPS hallways. (WTTW News)

Reducing Kids’ Health Risks as They Head Back to School

“The science is pretty much supporting all the changes that CDC is doing,” said Dr. Geraldine Luna, medical director at the Chicago Department of Public Health. “The reports of cases at school have been lower and we expect them to continue to be the lowest as we vaccinate children and send them protected to school.”

Three members of Chicago Band Así Así rehearses in a practice space. (WTTW News)

Chicago Band Así Así Releases Debut Indie Rock Album, ‘Mal de Otros’

Chicago band Así Así layers psychedelic, electronic, and surf sounds to create a moody blend of indie rock on their debut album “Mal de Otros,” released Aug. 18.

The Thalia Hall Block Party will bring live music and food vendors to Allport Street directly in front of the historic music hall. (WTTW News)

Thalia Hall Block Party Brings Local Music Acts to Allport Street

The Thalia Hall Block Party will bring live music and food vendors to Allport Street directly in front of the historic music hall. Organizers are hoping it will become an annual tradition.

(CNN)

After Supreme Court Ruling, Immigrant Rights Advocates Push for End to ‘Remain in Mexico’ Policy

In June, a Supreme Court decision overruled a lower court that forced the policy to be reinstated in December. But while President Joe Biden previously tried to end the policy, there has been little comment thus far on when his administration might officially follow through.

(WTTW News)

As Latino College Enrollment Takes COVID Hit, Educators Say Outreach and Support Are Critical

A report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows a 5.4% drop in the head count of Latino undergraduates in fall of 2020. And for the first time in 20 years, the number of Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education dropped from 569 in 2022 to 559 in 2021.

(WTTW News)

As New Illinois Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Are Issued, Focus Turns to Industry Equity

According to the state, of the business selected for the cannabis licenses, 41% are majority Black owned, 7% are majority White owned, 4% are majority Latino owned and 38% did not disclose the owner’s race.

(Credit: Eli Lilly and Company)

Clinical Trial for Those at Risk for Alzheimer’s Disease Seeks Participants

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that among Black Americans age 70 and older, more than 21% are living with that disease. Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is launching a clinical trial of a new drug therapy for those at risk, and they’re looking for participants in Chicago.

(WTTW News)

Catch the Perseid Meteor Showers’ ‘Glowing Grains of Grit’ Peak Aug. 11-14

While this year's that display might be a little harder to see than in past years, Chicago Astronomer Joe Guzman says it’s still worth getting out there and looking up.

New Book ‘The Tomorrow Game’ Explores How Teen Conflict Escalates into Violence

A new book dissects how a conflict between Chicago teenagers escalates into gun violence – and how the community steps in to save them. 

Dancers prepare for the Renacer Bolivia Summer Festival, set to take place Aug. 7. 2022. (WTTW News)

Bolivian Summer Festival Returns to Schiller Woods Aug. 7

The nonprofit Renacer Bolivia brings together Bolivianos from all over Chicagoland to celebrate the culture and history of their native country.

(WTTW News)

‘Pilsen Warrior’ Mural Soars Above 18th Street

Pilsen’s famously vibrant mural culture inspired artist Mauricio Ramirez to raise his game when it came to this prominently-placed work.

(WTTW News)

Imani Green Health Advocates Bring Community and Conservation Health Together

A career development initiative has taken root on Chicago’s South Side for young people who want to improve the health of their community.

(WTTW News)

Campaign Calls for Dedicated Funding to Address Homelessness in Chicago

A new proposal would increase the city’s real estate transfer tax, a one-time tax paid when a property is sold, by nearly 2% on properties over $1 million. An advocacy organization says the move would impact about 4% of properties sold and would generate $163 million to fund permanent affordable housing with services.        

(WTTW News)

White Sox Favorite Minnie Miñoso Gets MLB’s Highest Honor

White Sox legend Minnie Miñoso made the ultimate home run: a forever home in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, July 23. For generations of White Sox fans, he was a favorite for his outstanding performance on the field and his gregarious spirit off it.

(WTTW News)

‘La Ultima Palabra’ on Claiming Space as a Woman of Color

Local cyclist, Xail Hernandez offers la ultima palabra on what claiming a lane did for her health and her spirit, and what she says it can do for yours too.

(WTTW News)

Pharmacist Dispenses Care, Builds Community Trust in West Lawn

When it comes to health care, clear communication is critical to good outcomes. Nowhere is that truer than in America, where the health care system can be difficult to navigate as well as vastly different from the systems in other countries.

(WTTW News)

Improving Opportunity, Support for Latinos with Disabilities

Nine percent of America’s Latinos live with a disability, ranging from physical and cognitive impairments to mental health disorders. While that’s a lower rate than other racial and ethnic groups, Latinos are more likely to be unemployed or drop out of school due to disability. They’re also more likely to have worse health outcomes.

A participant in the Nature Conservancy’s Youth Environmental Thinkers program is pictured. (WTTW News)

Youth Environmental Program Helps Teens Explore Nature, Recognize Sociological Impacts of Climate Change

As brutal heat waves sweep across the globe, calls to address the effects of climate change have become increasingly urgent. But in addition to large-scale policy efforts, making lasting change often starts with individuals.

(WTTW News)

As Chicago’s Guaranteed Income Pilot Launches, Leaders Hope to See Work Replicated

Both Chicago and Cook County are in the process of launching guaranteed income programs that will provide more than 8,000 residents with $500 a month, no strings attached. While applications for Cook County residents will open in the fall, Chicago residents have started receiving monthly payments.

(Courtesy Northlake Public Library)

Beyond Books: How Suburban Libraries Are Serving Latino Patrons

Between 2000 to 2016, six of Chicago’s suburbs flipped from majority white suburbs to majority Latino.That's a reflection of a broader trend of immigrants bypassing the historical “port of entry” neighborhoods in the city and settling directly in the suburbs. And as the demographics of these communities have evolved, their institutions have had to find new ways to serve and engage residents.

(WTTW News)

Water, Rest, Shade, What to Know About Workers’ Rights in Dangerous Heat

As we head toward summer’s peak and temperatures routinely reach the 90s and above, people who work outdoors are at increased risk of overheating. And it’s not only people like farmworkers and construction workers who are at risk. 

(WTTW News)

Highland Park Council Member Andres Tapia on July 4 Shooting: No One Escapes the Impact of What Happened

Highland Park city council member Andres Tapia was present at the parade, and posted his personal account of the events on LinkedIn. Tapia said that publicly sharing his experience and talking about seeking help for the trauma he endured was important for him to do as a community leader.