Adriana Cardona-Maguigad

Adriana is a former 2012 WBEZ Pritzker fellow and was part of the inaugural class of Northwestern University’s Social Justice News Nexus fellowship program. She worked on a 2015 award-winning audio project for WBEZ and NPR’s This American Life about unregulated drug rehab centers in Chicago drawing people from Puerto Rico. Her investigation was recognized with a Sigma Delta Chi Award with the Society of Professional Journalists, a 2016 National Edward R. Murrow Award and three Peter Lisagor Awards.
Prior to joining WBEZ’s education team, Adriana worked at Univision Chicago where she was honored with two Chicago/ Midwest Emmy Awards.
Adriana lived in Dubuque and Des Moines, Iowa for many years. She is originally from Medellin, Colombia and has been a Chicago resident since 2005.
Stories by Adriana Cardona-Maguigad
Why are there so many Jamaican jerk restaurants in Chicago?
Chicago’s Jamaican population may be small, but local love for the cuisine is huge.
Car window tinting laws are complicated. Here’s what you need to know.
Do you want to get your vehicle windows tinted? Here’s how it works, what the laws are and how they’re enforced in Chicago.
The Avalon Regal Theater was once a luxurious movie palace. Today, its future is uncertain.
The theater in South Shore has almost a century of cultural significance. Since 2003, it’s sat mostly empty. What will happen to it?
Curious City turns 10!
In honor of our 10th anniversary, we reflect on Curious City’s origins — and some of the lessons we’ve learned over the years.
How Devon Avenue became the hub for Chicago’s Indian community
Devon Avenue has long been known as Little India, but the diverse West Ridge strip has become home for many and is still evolving today.
Volunteers share lessons they’ve learned working with refugees and immigrants
Volunteers from religious organizations say welcoming immigrants is a core part of their faith. But there are lessons to be learned in the process.
Illinois is abuzz with bees, but their future is uncertain
Some species of bees are doing OK. Others are not. Experts explain how everything from climate change to how we garden is impacting bees.
How do you start a community garden in Chicago?
As Pilsen changes, volunteers strive to keep the community garden a space where longtime residents can find ease and wellbeing.
Drawn by drums and incense, Pilsen residents are finding strength and joy through Aztec dance
Every Thursday, a group of Aztec dancers practices in Harrison Park. Through dance, they say they find community and harmony with nature.
Scouring Chicago alleys for scrap metal is a tough way to earn a living
With trucks piled high with pipes and old refrigerators, scrap metal collectors help put discarded waste back into the supply chain.