Environment · Cicero Independiente
Rooting out Risk: Cicero’s Challenge to Build a Safe Inclusive Park
A public records investigation into contamination, remediation and community safety at Cicero’s new inclusive park.
Bilingual reporting rooted in Cicero, Berwyn and Chicago
Journalism that makes public records feel personal.
Leslie Hurtado investigates environmental hazards, racial inequities and public systems, then turns dense findings into clear information communities can use.
Peter Lisagor winnerRegional Murrow winnerWatchdog Award winner
Leslie Hurtado
Investigative community journalist
About
Rigor, warmth and public service.
Leslie Hurtado is an award-winning journalist whose bilingual, community-rooted reporting serves Cicero, Berwyn, and Chicago. She currently contributes to Cicero Independiente and writes art & culture profiles of Chicagoans for the Chicago Reader. Previously, as an environmental reporter for Cicero Independiente, she translated dense findings into clear steps that families could use. Her Ability Park series examined a playground built on historically contaminated land and helped residents understand risks affecting their children.
A two-time City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellow, Leslie has investigated industrial pollution, demolition dust, immigration systems, health access, and the decisions made inside public meetings. Her reporting has been co-published with Borderless Magazine, Inside Climate News, WBEZ, and South Side Weekly.
Selected investigations
Reporting with a paper trail.
Environment · Cicero Independiente
Phil Fuentes Ability Park Opens. When Will the Contamination Be Fully Addressed?
Follow up accountability reporting on unresolved contamination questions after the park opened.
Environment · Cicero Independiente
Coloring Roots: Cicero Residents Share Their Vision for Future Green Spaces
A community listening project centered on how residents imagine safe, welcoming and accountable public green spaces.
Coverage map
Five beats, one public service mission.
2025Peter Lisagor AwardBest Reporting on Environment and Climate Change
Recognition
Work judged for impact and craft.
Leslie’s reporting and collaborative projects have received recognition from the Chicago Headline Club, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and the Radio Television Digital News Association.
See all awards