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.
All Articles
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![Contestants in a fishing tournament use hand-held nets to catch Asian carp as they leap from the water near Bath, Illinois.]()
![Contestants in a fishing tournament use hand-held nets to catch Asian carp as they leap from the water near Bath, Illinois.]()
Illinois must protect the Great Lakes from invasive carp. A toxic mess stands in the way.
Only 40 miles separate voracious Asian carp from the world's largest freshwater ecosystem. To stop them, Illinois must reckon with its legacy of coal ash pollution.
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![shot of wetlands in central illinois]()
![shot of wetlands in central illinois]()
How Big Ag thwarted wetlands protections in Illinois and Iowa
Two years ago, the Supreme Court made it easier to destroy swamps and marshes. Agricultural lobbyists want to keep it that way.
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![Two people participating in a rally for the Environmental Protection Agency.]()
![Two people participating in a rally for the Environmental Protection Agency.]()
30 years of environmental justice, dismantled in 100 days
Under the Trump administration, policies to protect the communities most affected by pollution are "illegal."
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![People stand in protest with backs to camera, wearing capes that have slogans painted on them.]()
![People stand in protest with backs to camera, wearing capes that have slogans painted on them.]()
A Chicago law could shift where heavy industry operates — and who bears the burden of pollution
As Trump dismantles protections, the ordinance is a test case for environmental justice.
