Articles by Regional Reporter, Illinois Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco is the Midwest regional reporter for Grist and WBEZ Chicago. He previously covered waterways, wildlife, and agriculture for the Mississippi River Basin Agriculture and Water Desk, Harvest Public Media, and WNIJ Northern Public Radio.
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![Two reporters listen to a man speaking in his home. One holds a microphone.]()
![Two reporters listen to a man speaking in his home. One holds a microphone.]()
How we mapped Chicago’s lead pipe problem and what we learned
Here’s what we found, how to know if you’re at risk, and how to replicate our work.
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![a choropleth map of Chicago showing various shades of red indicating lead service pipe density by neighborhood]()
![a choropleth map of Chicago showing various shades of red indicating lead service pipe density by neighborhood]()
Chicago has the most lead pipes in the nation. We mapped them all.
Here's what the data reveals about who's most at risk.
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![An electrician working with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, or HVAC, prepares the Mitsubishi condenser/compressor used to connect a residential heat pump system July 21, 2025 in Charlotte, Vermont.]()
![An electrician working with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, or HVAC, prepares the Mitsubishi condenser/compressor used to connect a residential heat pump system July 21, 2025 in Charlotte, Vermont.]()
Energy projects across the country are in limbo after Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
Community groups, businesses, and consumers say projects face an uncertain future after Republicans slashed renewable energy tax credits.
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![a woman in her 70s filters water at a kitchen sink]()
![a woman in her 70s filters water at a kitchen sink]()
Chicago was supposed to warn residents about toxic lead pipes last year. Most still have no idea.
Eight months past a federal deadline, more than 90 percent of at-risk Chicagoans haven’t been told their drinking water could be unsafe.
