The EPA has been monitoring cleanup of toxic chemicals in the Hudson River for decades. But while toxin levels remain high, the agency says it won’t enact further cleanup for at least two more years. My final story for Sierra Magazine: sierraclub.org/sierra/efforts…

An Illinois lawmaker is proposing to ban certain chemical additives, including red dye No. 3, from food products sold in Illinois. Lily Carey of @medillschool reports. loom.ly/RcVUJbQ

Beyond the Chicago area, the landscape of local immigration laws across Illinois are more mixed – though the state’s TRUST Act remains the law of the land. Lily Carey reports for Northwestern Medill. loom.ly/o8iSRpc

Native plant farming, once divisive in Chicago, is a key part of Chicago Botanic Garden’s mission to revive the Illinois tallgrass prairie. My latest, for Block Club Chicago ⬇️ blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/17/how…

Artificial reefs have been used around the world as marine habitats. But some scientists say they can serve a new purpose for coastal cities — preventing erosion. Inside Climate News insideclimatenews.org/news/05042025/…

Heat wave’s high humidity raises health risks in Chicago and across the country. Protect yourselves and each other out there this weekend. Story by adrianaperez.bsky.social and Lily Carey chicagotribune.com/2025/06/20/hea…

During last weekend’s heat wave, Chicago closed over 1/3 of its cooling centers for at least part of the heat advisory, with many offering only partial air conditioning. My first Sunday A1 for Chicago Tribune, with adrianaperez.bsky.social ⬇️ chicagotribune.com/2025/06/29/chi…

Too many em dashes? What’s next? too much love? too much joy?

In central Illinois, carbon capture project’s proximity to Mahomet Aquifer raises fears. My story in today’s Chicago Tribune ⬇️ chicagotribune.com/2025/09/14/ill…

On their youngest son’s 10th birthday, ICE agents detained a couple who immigrated from Mexico and have lived in suburban Cicero 18 years. Their kids watched helplessly as the parents were taken away after a traffic stop. Neither has a criminal history. chicagotribune.com/2025/09/16/hea…

Belated life update: last week, I started as a reporter at the The Baltimore Sun! I’ll be covering government, politics, etc. in Carroll County. Follow my work at the link below + in my bio, and reach out if you have tips, questions, or Baltimore recs! baltimoresun.com/author/lily-ca…

Journalism is not a crime. My friend Steve has done critically important work here in Chicago and we must stand up for the First Amendment and the public’s right to know.

Of all the things we’ve seen in Chicago, can’t recall anything like these scenes

The local media outlets filing this lawsuit inspire me every day with their coverage of ICE raids in Chicago, and their approach to community coverage has shaped me and countless of other young journalists. We should all be standing up for their first amendment rights.

This is probably true re: national media, but if you’re in Chicago, federal immigration enforcement and the National Guard deployment are definitely all over the news. Local journalism is important more than ever!

From national media covering the U.S. military to student papers in American colleges and universities, free and independent journalism continues to be under immense attack

Breaking: The Illinois Senate approves an annual $1.5 billion funding plan to avert the fiscal cliff facing Chicago public transit agencies. It also reforms the governance structure. The RTA Chicago will become the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. Now goes to Gov. Pritzker.

The month before Operation Midway Blitz started in Chicago –Homicides down 24% –shootings down 24% –robberies down 41% –violent crime down 22% –Motor vehicle thefts down 28% –Car jackings down 48% year to date