Illinois Public Media News

On the 21st: As we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we look to Illinois' past and present. First, Yale law professor and central Illinois native Tracey Meares tells us what it takes to build a sense of fairness between police and civilians. Plus, the story of New Philadelphia, Illinois—the first town founded by African-Americans—told by Kate Williams-McWorter and Gerald McWorter, who also happens to be great-great-grandson of the town's founder.

Illinois’ population loss could be a warning for larger changes to come.

Across the United States, an alarming number of women die during pregnancy or childbirth. And for each one who dies, dozens wind up with health problems that can last for years. Now women are being encouraged to watch what happens in the "fourth trimester."

The long tentacles of the partial federal government shutdown are reaching especially deep into food and agriculture. Here’s an update on some of the impacts now four weeks into the longest shutdown in history.

Well-known pastor and anti-gun-violence activist Michael Pfleger says our country needs Dr. Martin Luther King’s messages of justice and nonviolence now more than ever.