Lead poisoning remains a risk for Chicago children

Matthew Hendrickson wrote a three-part series showing how Chicago children continue to be harmed by lead poisoning at alarming rates because of bureaucratic missteps — from kids being screened late to frustrated inspectors not having correct street addresses when tracking down those most at risk. Hendrickson also tested soil samples and found troubling amounts of lead on playgrounds. He wrote the series while a student at Columbia College Chicago and under the supervision of Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Sam Roe.