Adriana Pérez
@adrianaperez.bsky.social
she/her/ella ✶ Environment and climate change for @chicagotribune.com 🌱 Sometimes immigration and breaking news. Notre Dame alum. Ecuadorian.
Mold in Chicago-area schools is a growing problem as climate change intensifies summer storms. As always, an interesting story from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/10/25/m...
Mold in Chicago-area schools is a growing problem as climate change intensifies summer storms
Because school buildings operate differently in the summer, they are at particular risk of developing mold. The people they serve are also especially vulnerable.
chicagotribune.com
A Pekin, Illinois ethanol plant was polluting the Illinois River. We went to court and held them accountable. Thanks to @ilattygeneral.bsky.social for prosecuting this case and protecting the state's namesake river. 🧵 Gift link to story by @adrianaperez.bsky.social in @chicagotribune.com
Ethanol plant to pay for wetland restoration at Emiquon wildlife refuge as part of Illinois River pollution settlement
Lawsuit accused company of discharging hot water, which can dissolve oxygen and stress fish, as well as other aquatic wildlife and birds.
chicagotribune.com
Great report by @adrianaperez.bsky.social about our 🌳 study on death and canopy. My quote: "But tree equity shouldn’t end when the tree goes into the ground,” he said. “You can apply the same equity principles of tree planting into care, maintenance, preservation, replanting, long-term survival."
Chicago Tribune@chicagotribune.com · 2mo agoProtecting mature trees from storms and disease can reduce Chicago deaths, study finds
Scientists team up in ‘unparalleled’ effort to protect Illinois’ endangered turtles from increasing threats. Story by @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/07/12/i...
Scientists team up in ‘unparalleled’ effort to protect Illinois’ endangered turtles from increasing threats
Loss of wetlands, changes in habitat hydrology from dams and agricultural tile drainage, viruses, and poaching put turtle population at risk.
chicagotribune.com
An Indiana pastor became an Illinois oilman. Spills and pollution followed. Great reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social and Jonathan Bullington www.chicagotribune.com/2026/08/02/o...
An Indiana pastor became an Illinois oilman. Spills and pollution followed.
Indian Liberty is accused of contaminating Illinois waterways, damaging private property and criminally disposing of waste. A Tribune investigation reveals how abandoned oil and gas wells have prolife...
chicagotribune.com
In Illinois, getting oil and gas operators to pay for abandoned wells can take decades. More great work from @adrianaperez.bsky.social and Jonathan Bullington www.chicagotribune.com/2026/06/22/i...
In Illinois, getting oil and gas operators to pay for abandoned wells can take decades
Some companies that are still profiting from oil and gas production elsewhere have potentially shifted the cost of plugging these wells to the state and taxpayers.
chicagotribune.com
A mysterious company abandoned 603 oil wells, costing Illinois millions. Here’s how they did it. An outstanding and interesting story from Bullington @adrianaperez.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2026/05/17/f...
A mysterious company abandoned 603 oil wells, costing Illinois millions. Here’s how they did it.
A Tribune investigation reveals how Fireball evaded its legal responsibility, exposing communities to contaminants and saddling the state with millions in clean-up costs.
chicagotribune.com
Tiny, raucous monk parakeets from South America thrive in Chicago. @adrianaperez.bsky.social explains why www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/02/m...
Tiny, raucous monk parakeets from South America thrive in Chicago. But why?
Likely escapees of the exotic pet trade, the birds first put down roots in some south suburbs in the 1960s and Hyde Park in the 1970s.
chicagotribune.com
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois. More fascinating reporting from @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/13/h...
Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois.
This green approach avoids the release of smoke from cremation and the leaking of fluids from burying embalmed bodies.
chicagotribune.com
Congrats to the 2026 SHERFs: Ethan Bakuli, @sarawernst.bsky.social, @celllyg.bsky.social, Anika Nayak, @adrianaperez.bsky.social & @jilliantaylor.bsky.social! They will receive training and mentoring for reporting at the intersection of science, health & the environment. casw.org/news/meet-th...
From the Olympics in Italy to skiing the Wisconsin slopes, race is on to adapt to warming winters. A great story about climate change and sport, by @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/02/f...
From the Olympics in Italy to skiing the Wisconsin slopes, the race is on to adapt to warming winters
Unseasonably warm temps in Italy and a reduced snowpack will require 2 million cubic yards of artificial snow to ensure consistent conditions for athletes.
chicagotribune.com
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160 million problem. Very proud of this investigation for @chicagotribune.com with Jonathan Bullington, graphics by Claire Malon and photos by E. Jason Wambsgans. Gift link:
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem.
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.
chicagotribune.com
"Left unplugged, some of these wells leak toxic chemicals hundreds of feet below the surface, potentially contaminating groundwater, and spit climate-warming methane gas into the atmosphere." Jonathan Bullington and @adrianaperez.bsky.social
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem.
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.
chicagotribune.com
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem. Great story by Jonathan Bullington and @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/18/i...
At one time, Illinois was a top oil producer. Today, that legacy is a $160M problem.
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose environmental and public health risks. For three decades, the state has mismanaged funds earmarked for minimizing the threat.
chicagotribune.com
Bison return to Kane County after 200 years, a crucial step for conservation and Indigenous connection. Come for @adrianaperez.bsky.social great story, stay for Jason Wambsgans' great photos www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/25/b...
Bison return to Kane County after 200 years, a crucial step for conservation and Indigenous connection
Citizens can help monitor the prairie and bison, and Native Americans can reconnect to their roots under a community science program.
chicagotribune.com
Chicago just had its snowiest start to the season since 1978. But predicting how much snow it'll get over the next few months can be tricky. Here's what's happening to seasons in Illinois — including increasingly warming falls, like the one we just had. For @chicagotribune.com:
A snowy, cold start to winter follows a very warm fall. How are Illinois seasons changing?
In Chicago, fall is the second fastest-warming season after winter, and outliers, like this week’s cold, don’t lessen the impact of climate change, experts say.
chicagotribune.com
A snowy, cold start to winter follows a very warm fall. How are Illinois seasons changing? Story from environmental ace @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/05/i...
A snowy, cold start to winter follows a very warm fall. How are Illinois seasons changing?
In Chicago, fall is the second fastest-warming season after winter, and outliers, like this week’s cold, don’t lessen the impact of climate change, experts say.
chicagotribune.com
I'm in the @chicagotribune.com today calling on @govpritzker.illinois.gov to protect the Illinois wetlands that keep floods out of our basements & our water clean. EPA's new rule would strip the vast majority of Illinois wetlands of Clean Water Act protections. Article by @adrianaperez.bsky.social
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
chicagotribune.com
The state has already lost 90% of its original wetlands to urban development and agriculture. Advocates want the state to protect what remains now that the EPA is cutting protections. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/18/i...
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
chicagotribune.com
Illinois lawmakers urged to 'step up' and 'fight like hell' as EPA moves to cut federal protections for wetlands. The state has lost 90% of its original wetlands and currently has no comprehensive safeguards. For @chicagotribune.com:
Illinois lawmakers urged to ‘step up’ and ‘fight like hell’ as EPA moves to cut wetlands protections
New U.S. EPA rule would strip protections from 72% of the state’s remaining wetlands, which play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and filtering drinking water.
chicagotribune.com
In my first collab with @chicagotribune.com data reporter Claire Malon, we take a look at the bird flu and how the 2 million (!) cases in turkeys this year are affecting wholesale and retail prices ahead of Thanksgiving — as well as recurring challenges since the start of the outbreak in 2022 🦃
Bird flu cases are on the rise again, including 2 million turkeys. Will that affect your Thanksgiving dinner?
Turkeys make up approximately 2% of the entire U.S. poultry inventory, but account for 24% of new cases in commercial and backyard flocks.
chicagotribune.com
For the last 16 years, this Winnetka couple has helped plant almost half a million fruit trees — mostly breadfruit — across the Caribbean and Africa, about 250,000 of those in Jamaica alone. Breadfruit trees are climate-resilient and ensure food security post-hurricane. Gift link:
In hurricane-torn Jamaica, Winnetka couple’s climate-resilient breadfruit program offers food and hope
After Hurricane Melissa’s exceptionally strong winds subsided, the roots of breadfruit trees clung deep into the fertile Jamaican soil — offering hope and a step toward food security in the f…
chicagotribune.com
"In areas densely packed with tall cattails," @adrianaperez.bsky.social reports, "muskrats create a 'patchwork' of small openings that allow plants of different heights to grow. That, in turn, creates habitat for diverse native wildlife."
Muskrats fight invasive cattails and help restore biodiversity in Great Lakes wetlands, Loyola study finds
Dam-building beavers are known for changing their ecosystems; muskrats can substantially alter vegetation structure.
chicagotribune.com
A great read about the environment and muskrats: With their surgical nibbles, these large, semi-aquatic, buck-toothed rodents have emerged as crucial helpers for ecologists restoring degraded wetlands across the Great Lakes. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/04/m...
Muskrats fight invasive cattails and help restore biodiversity in Great Lakes wetlands, Loyola study finds
Dam-building beavers are known for changing their ecosystems; muskrats can substantially alter vegetation structure.
chicagotribune.com
A man is in the hospital after a violent arrest by an immigration agent. Disturbing video below. @adrianaperez.bsky.social with the story for @chicagotribune.com www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/02/m...
Story from @adrianaperez.bsky.social: www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/02/m...
Man hospitalized after violent federal immigration arrest in Melrose Park, family says
Videos shared on social media show man struggling on the ground while a federal agent keeps him in a headlock.
chicagotribune.com
armando l sanchez@mandophotos.bsky.social · 12mo agoVideo from a neighbor of immigration agents detaining Ricardo Aguayo Rodriguez Sunday morning in Melrose Park. Ricardo was hospitalized after the arrest.
Videos on social media show Ricardo Aguayo Rodriguez struggling on the ground while a federal immigration agent keeps him in a headlock during an arrest in Melrose Park, IL. “Por favor, amigo,” he pleads as he groans and yells in pain. He has been hospitalized. w/ @staceywescott.bsky.social:
Man hospitalized after violent federal immigration arrest in Melrose Park, family says
Videos shared on social media show man struggling on the ground while a federal agent keeps him in a headlock.
chicagotribune.com
Important story: In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown. By @adrianaperez.bsky.social www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/05/i...
In Chicago, immigrants who thought they were following the legal path are also facing deportation under Trump crackdown
If immigrants entered the country illegally or are without granted status, attorneys say they have no protections under a second Trump administration.
chicagotribune.com