Stories by erica gunderson

(WTTW News)

Greening La Villita at Kanoon Elementary School

A dense green tree canopy can reduce the effects of air pollution and climate change. A 2019 study by the city found Little Village was among communities burdened by higher air pollution — and now, the neighborhood is planting the seeds for change.

Brandon Johnson is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

Latino Communities Look Ahead to Chicago Under Mayor Brandon Johnson

As Mayor Brandon Johnson closes out his first week in office, Chicagoans are watching closely. In the city’s Latino communities, public safety, the cost of living, job opportunities, schools and environmental justice are at the top of the long list of issues people are hoping to see the new mayor address.

Refugees. (CNN)

What Does the End of Title 42 Mean for Those Seeking Asylum in the U.S.?

The policy allowed authorities to quickly expel migrants at U.S. borders in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. More than 2.8 million migrants were expelled, according to Customs and Border protection data. But the policy has also created more confusion and misinformation among the people who are seeking asylum in the U.S.

Jerry Bowen. (WTTW News)

South Side Retiree Finds New Passion as Sign Language Teacher at Thurgood Marshall Library

Every Tuesday afternoon at the Thurgood Marshall Branch of the Chicago Public Library, retiree Jerry Bowen signs “hello” to the sign language class he’s taught remotely for three years.

Kameron Huckleby (WTTW)

Finding ‘The Road Home’ with Re-Entry Navigator-in-Training Kameron Huckleby

Kameron Huckleby is on the road home after incarceration, and he’s on the road to helping others do the same as a re-entry navigator in training with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

Francisco Perez (WTTW News)

‘La Ultima Palabra’ on Resources for Those Returning After Incarceration

Francisco Perez gives “La Ultima Palabra” on why he says creating a smoother landing for people leaving incarceration is good business for everyone.

Brandon Johnson is pictured in a file photo. (Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)

From Accessible Gathering Spaces to Educational Opportunities, Young Chicagoans Share Their Hopes for Brandon Johnson’s Administration

For young people in the city, the start of a new administration at City Hall is both a chance for progress and a moment to call attention to the issues most important to them. 

“Underground Railroad Game” is playing at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts May 18-20. (Ars Nova)

Provocative Play ‘Underground Railroad Game’ Shaped by Gettysburg School Trip Memories

“Underground Railroad Game” touches on heavy themes like race, power, sex and the American psyche, but its creators say it’ll also make you laugh. The play runs at the at the Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts from May 18-20.

(Erica Gunderson / WTTW News)

Chicago Hot Dog Icon Superdawg Drive-In Still Going Strong 75 Years Later

In 1948, the neighborhood around Milwaukee and Devon avenues was mostly undeveloped prairie. But North Side newlyweds Maurie and Flaurie Berman saw potential, and a Chicago icon was born.

Project Hope assists young mothers through their pregnancies and beyond. (WTTW News)

Marillac St. Vincent’s Project Hope Raises Young Moms Into Parenthood

Project Hope supports young mothers through their pregnancies and beyond. Doulas give prenatal support, and care countinues with parenting classes, intervention screenings and peer groups.

(WTTW News)

Dog Day Care Owner on Digging Up Small Business Support

With a pandemic-related dip in business, Furry Paws Dog Day Care owner Carolina Ayala began looking for small business support options.

(WTTW News)

How Kennedy Expressway Construction Helped Get Unhoused Residents Into Housing

The Kennedy Expressway construction project that kicked off earlier this year had an unexpected effect on some of the 35th Ward’s unhoused residents: the scope of the work endangered those living in viaducts under the expressway.

Members of Mariachi Herencia de Mexico (WTTW News)

Treat Mom to Mariachi on Mother’s Day with Mariachi Herencia de Mexico

Latin Grammy Award-nominated Mariachi Herencia de Mexico will be performing a Mother’s Day concert at Thalia Hall on May 14.

(Erica Gunderson / WTTW News)

Black History in Bloom in Washington Park with ‘Redefining Redlining’

Artist Amanda Williams and a small army of friends and neighbors participated in an act of faith and reclamation in Washington Park. In the footprint of nearly two dozen lost buildings, they planted 100,000 red tulip bulbs.

Small business owner Gia Davis gives “the last word” on why she says hiring returning citizens just makes good business sense. (WTTW News)

Small Business Owner Gives ‘The Last Word’ on Second Chance Employment

About 26,000 people leave Illinois prisons each year, and many of them report having trouble finding employment once they’re home.

Poet avery young appears on “Black Voices” on April 29, 2023. (WTTW News)

Poetry Beyond the Page With Avery Young, Chicago’s First Poet Laureate

In a city known for its poets and poetry, being named Chicago’s first poet laureate is high praise and a tall order. But teacher, producer, composer, performer and poet avery young, who styles his name in all lowercase, said he can’t wait to get started serving as the city’s poetry ambassador.

(Navy Pier)

Mexico Fest and Latino Spirits Festival to Kick Off Cinco de Mayo Weekend

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and there’s plenty to do in Chicago to celebrate Latino culture.

In March 2023, 11 wrongfully convicted men filed a lawsuit against former Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara, the city of Chicago and other officers. (Courtesy of Matt Thibodeau / Loevy and Loevy)

11 Men Exonerated of Murder Convictions File Civil Suit Against Disgraced Ex-Detective Reynaldo Guevara

For nearly two decades, Chicago Police Detective Reynaldo Guevara was an infamous presence on the city’s Northwest Side. More than 50 people have accused Guevara of framing them for murders, coercing false confessions and engaging in other misconduct from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Deonte Baker was recovering from a violent attack when he was selected for the Resilient Communities program. “I was able to rebuild my life and feel good about it,” he said. (WTTW News)

Resilient Communities Participants on How Program Helped Get Them on Track

Last summer, the 5,000 Chicagoans selected to participate in the city’s guaranteed income pilot program began receiving $500 per month. The Resilient Communities program was designed to help income-qualified Chicagoans stabilize their financial circumstances.

(WTTW News)

DePaul Study Finds Higher Rates of Anxiety and Depression Among Young Latinos, Especially Girls and Nonbinary Youth

Researchers studied 1,200 elementary and middle school CPS students over the last four years and found that Latino students are up to twice as likely to be at risk for depression and anxiety.

(WTTW News)

On the Pass: Chef Effy Medrano on Passion, the Pandemic and Pork

Purple Pig executive chef Effy Medrano is a native of Toluca, Mexico. But when he moved to Chicago and began working as a teenager at Spiaggia, it set him on a path to cooking Mediterranean cuisine.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Public Library Foundation Receives $2M Grant for Archiving Black History

The grant from the Mellon Foundation will allow CPL to digitize and archive materials related to the city’s Black history, including items dating from the 1800s to the present day.

(WTTW News)

Common Threads in State Public University Faculty Strikes

A wave of labor actions swept through Illinois public universities this month, with faculty at Chicago State, Eastern Illinois and Governors State universities on strike at various times throughout April.

(WTTW News)

Nearly 70 Years of Housing, Healing and Hope for Reentering Citizens at St. Leonard’s Ministries

The West Side nonprofit offers workforce development and mental health and substance abuse services, among other supports. Leadership said their recidivism rates are a fraction of the state average.

(WTTW News)

Dream Economic Results Reported for First Sueños Festival

According to an economic impact study, the 2022 Sueños Festival contributed $120.9 million to Chicago’s economy, and Chicago workers earned an extra $5 million in additional labor income. The festival returns this year May 27-28 at Grant Park.

(WTTW News)

Hospitality Hiring Event Pairs Chicago Job Seekers With Employers on April 18

The 6th annual Hospitality Hires Chicago event puts job seekers face-to-face with industry employers who are ready to interview and hire for a variety of open positions.