Stories by erica gunderson

(Alex-197677521 / Pexels)

Equiticity Offers Lawndale Residents Stipends for Climate-Friendly Transportation

The Mobility Opportunities Fund will provide stipends that help limited-income residents of North Lawndale purchase conventional bikes, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and electric vehicles.

(U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

DHS Outlines Protections for Immigrant Workers Experiencing Labor Violations

The new policy allows undocumented workers to make complaints about labor violations and to participate in investigations without fear of immigration-related retaliation.

(Courtesy of Alicia Odewale; Prints & Photographs Division – America National Red Cross Collection)

Stories of Spirit and Strength in Tulsa’s Greenwood District at ‘A Century of Resilience’ Jan. 29

In her work, Tulsa-based archaeologist Alicia Odewale, Ph.D., is uncovering stories from Tulsa's Greenwood district, which was the site of a vicious racial attack in 1921.

(Courtesy of YWCA)

Constructing a New Career with Free 11-Week Job Training Program at YWCA

The YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is now accepting applications for a free 11-week program that pays its trainees a stipend to learn the basics of construction and utilities trades.

(WTTW News)

New Cannabis License Process Aims to Focus on Social Equity

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation announced the latest timeline and application process for obtaining a cannabis dispensary license.

(WTTW News)

In New Book, Last Surviving Witness to Emmett Till Lynching Seeks to Correct Narrative

In “A Few Days of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend, Emmett Till,” the Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr. gives a firsthand account of those terrible days.

(WTTW News)

58 Years After Martin Luther King Jr.’s Campaign to End Slums, a Look at Affordable Housing in Chicago

When Martin Luther King Jr. came to Chicago in 1965, his mission was to end the slum housing conditions that many Black residents were forced to live in. For 17 months, he fought with boycotts, rallies and marches — a campaign that ultimately contributed to the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968.

Students at Chicago Public Schools walk along a hallway in this file photo. (WTTW News)

Applications Open for Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship

The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarship program offers tuition assistance for families who meet income thresholds. There are no merit components to eligibility.

(Chicago Park District)

Snow Much Fun at Polar Adventure Days on Jan. 21, Feb. 25

The afternoon slate of programming features dog-sledding demonstrations, puppet shows, raptor visits, bonfire storytelling, arts and crafts, and of course, hot cocoa.

A file image of the Little Village neighborhood in Chicago. (WTTW News)

Welcome to Chicago: Exploring What It Means to Be a Sanctuary City

Chicago's history as a self-proclaimed sanctuary city dates back to 1985, when then Mayor Harold Washington issued an executive order prohibiting city employees from enforcing federal immigration laws.

(WTTW News)

Make a Resolution: Get Screened for Hypertension in 2023

According to the American Heart Association, about 55% of Black adults have high blood pressure. Black Americans also have disproportionately high rates of severe hypertension and tend to develop it earlier in life.

The Chicago family band A Flor de Piel blends genres to modernize Mexican folk music. (WTTW News)

A Flor de Piel, a Local Family Band, Makes Mexican Folk Music Modern

The sounds of Mexican folk music cross borders, genres and generations. Oftentimes, music is passed through families who play traditional music in celebrations and at home.

Calvin Butler is president and CEO of Exelon. (WTTW News)

New Exelon CEO Calvin Butler Takes Charge at Energy Giant

Energy infrastructure is under constant threat — from extreme weather to security concerns. As the effects of climate change challenge the energy production sector, the utilities charged with producing that energy sustainably, equitably and affordably are at an inflection point.

(WTTW News)

Chicago Model Building Company Has Spent 70 Years Making Ideas Reality

The business of Chicago-based Model Builders Inc. is in the details – precision-crafting models and prototypes of all kinds since 1950. As Model Builders Inc.’s Jeff Harris puts it: “you’re convincing the person that’s looking at it that it’s the real thing, shrunk.”

A mural created by Pablo Serrano at Nourishing Hope. (Credit: Vashon Jordan)

Artist Pablo Serrano, One of the City’s Most Prolific Muralists, On Making Chicago a Home for Art

“Art is responding to life,” Pablo Serrano said. “To the things that we're going through, and fundamental questions that go to — where have we been, where are we at, where are we going?”

(Yanna Zissiadou / Unsplash)

Do You Speak Pájaro? Openlands Is Looking for Volunteers

Openlands is hoping to find more Latino and Spanish-speaking volunteers to lead the Birds in My Neighborhood program, which educates kids on native birds through in-school lessons and field trips.

(WTTW News)

U. of C. Crime Lab Director on What Data Says About Chicago’s Crime Rate in 2022

The Chicago Police Department reports 661 murders occurred as of Dec. 10, 2022, down 15% from 2021 when the tally was 776. Overall shootings are also reported as down by about 20% from 2021 numbers, from 3,399 to 2,718. 

(Courtesy of OPEN Center for the Arts)

From Food to Art, Celebrate Mexican Christmas Traditions in Little Village

In Mexico, one or two days just aren’t enough to celebrate the holiday season. There, the traditional Christmas posadas are nine days long, and the parties keep going well into the new year.

The Chicago Fair Trade pop-up holiday market runs through Dec. 24 at 1457 N. Halsted. (WTTW News)

Gifts that Give Back at Chicago Fair Trade Holiday Pop-Up Shop

Chicago Fair Trade Executive Director Katherine Bissell Cordova says you can knock a lot off your holiday shopping list in one stop at their shop.

(WTTW News)

Latino Communities ‘Shocked’ By Property Tax Increase, Neighborhood Advocates Say

Many Cook County residents received an unwelcome surprise this month when their new property tax bill arrived with a hefty hike. The increase was especially noticeable for those living in largely Latino communities, according to an analysis by the Cook County Treasurer’s office.

(WTTW News)

Long-Lost Photos of Chicago Artists Resurface in ‘Encuentros,’ an Exhibit at the Poetry Foundation

Poetry Foundation Creative Director Fred Sasaki says the exhibition grew out of the discovery of a collection of Diana Solis’ photographs and other items abandoned in a basement.

Manasseh sings with his band The Fam in December 2022. (WTTW News)

Singer-Songwriter Manasseh Creates Sounds of Soul Communion

Manasseh, the singer, songwriter and native South Sider, credits the gospel soundtrack of his childhood for creating the foundation for his sprawling, kaleidoscopic sound. 

(WTTW News)

Pilsen Gourmet Showcases Chicago’s Latino Culinary Stars on Dec. 16

Pilsen Gourmet organizer Esmirna Garcia says in its second year, the event’s plate is overflowing with the flavors, colors and culture of Chicago’s diverse Latino cuisine scene.

WBEZ hosted a screening of “South Side” season three at the DuSable Museum on Dec. 6, 2022. (Credit: Joe Nolasco for WBEZ Chicago, Instagram @nolasco_giovanni)

‘South Side’ Comedy Returns to HBO Max for Season 3

The “South Side” is back on the grind. Season three of HBO Max’s hit comedy set in Chicago debuted this week — and the jokes are as fast and furious as ever.

(WTTW News)

Local Tech Startup Opens Fund for Latino-Owned Businesses: ‘Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is’

This week, CASHDROP founder Ruben Flores-Martinez announced he is putting $1 million of his own equity into what he calls the Latino Renaissance Fund, which will be distributed to 1,000 Latino-owned businesses.

(WTTW News)

Chicago’s Neighborhood Small Businesses Hope for Happy Holiday Shopping Season

Between supply chain problems, inflation and the shadow of a pandemic, the outlook for small retail and food businesses continues to be uncertain this holiday season.