Adriana Pérez

Adriana Pérez is an environment reporter, covering the Great Lakes, climate change, environmental justice, wildlife, science and more. Occasionally, she writes about breaking news and immigration. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, she hails from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Send her your story tips and almond croissant recommendations.

People walk along the lakefront near Belmont Harbor on June 5, 2025, as the skyline is obscured by air pollution from Canadian wildfires. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency declared it an Air Pollution Action Day. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Wildfires, dust storms and traffic made Chicago the 3rd-most polluted major US city in 2025, report finds

March 26, 2026 at 7:29 a.m.

Massive intermodal facilities, growth of industrial warehouses have contributed to the Joliet area having highest concentration of pollution in the state.

Flowers are seen on the pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in Chicago’s Rogers Park as people fish on March 21, 2026. Loyola University freshman Sheridan Gorman was fatally shot there Thursday. Chicago police have arrested a 25-year-old Rogers Park man in connection with the shooting. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Man charged in Loyola student’s shooting as ICE lodges arrest detainer

March 23, 2026 at 9:52 a.m.

Loyola student Sheridan Gorman, 18, was fatally shot on the Loyola Beach Pier.

6 people, including 2 students, injured in shooting near Illinois State campus, Normal police say

March 22, 2026 at 3:44 p.m.

A preliminary investigation indicates the shooting appears to be isolated, police say.

Girl, 15, riding scooter killed in hit-and-run in Chicago’s South Shore

March 22, 2026 at 6:27 p.m.

Teenager found lying in the street a few blocks from Rainbow Beach, Chicago police say.

Northern Illinois University professor Victor Gensini poses with a large hailstone he found near Kankakee on March 10, 2026, comparable in size to a tennis ball. Supercell storms across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana produced destructive tornadoes and large hail 2.5 inches in diameter and bigger, with some 5 to 6 inch stones possibly breaking a record of 4.75 inches set in 2015. (Victor Gensini/NIU Meteorology)

Gargantuan hail, destructive tornadoes: Climate change making Illinois storms more severe

March 12, 2026 at 8:50 a.m.

The National Weather Service has received at least six reports of potential record-breaking hailstones in Illinois, ranging from 4.8 to 6 inches.

Una cotorra argentina posada en un árbol en el barrio de Englewood, Chicago, el 1 de marzo de 2026. Si bien no son nativas de Norteamérica, las cotorras argentinas se ven con frecuencia en Hyde Park y otros barrios del sur de Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Las diminutas y ruidosas cotorras argentinas de Sudamérica prosperan en Chicago. Pero, ¿por qué?

March 5, 2026 at 1:37 p.m.

Algunas probablemente escaparon de ser mascotas exóticas y se establecieron en los suburbios del sur y Hyde Park entre 1960-1970.

A monk parakeet sits in a tree in the Englewood neighborhood, March 1, 2026 in Chicago. While they are not native to North America, monk parakeets are often seen in Hyde Park and other South Side neighborhoods. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Tiny, raucous monk parakeets from South America thrive in Chicago. But why?

March 2, 2026 at 10:35 a.m.

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.

The aftermath of a brush fire in the Green River State Wildlife Management Area in Lee County, Illinois that was intentionally set on Feb. 27, 2026. Trent W. Schafer, 21, of Kasbeer, Illinois, was taken into custody by Lee County deputies and charged with arson. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Volunteer firefighter accused of arson in wildfire that burned 700 acres in northwest Illinois nature preserve

March 2, 2026 at 8:48 a.m.

The fire in Green River State Wildlife Area quickly grew to a five-alarm level because of dry, warm and windy weather.

Roxann Specht’s 2024 note about choosing to compost her body after her death shows her husband Jerry Specht’s agreement to do the same. He wrote: “The same for me as well!” In 2025, Jerry died and Roxann carried out his wishes. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end. Some are pushing to legalize it in Illinois.

February 13, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

This green approach avoids the release of smoke from cremation and the leaking of fluids from burying embalmed bodies.

Lucy Contreras, of GreenLatinos, answers a question during a news conference at the Allegro Chicago Hotel in the Loop, Feb. 11, 2026, introducing the POWER Act, legislation that would establish guardrails for building data centers. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Bill would hold data centers responsible for energy costs and environmental protections

February 12, 2026 at 2:12 p.m.

The proposal would increase local accountability by setting water and electricity reporting requirements and water efficiency standards, and ensure community engagement.

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