Illinois Public Media

Politics

Photograph of Illinois lawmakers listen to debate on the House floor during a session at the Illinois State Capitol.

Rundown of new laws in Illinois as 2026 begins

A new year means new laws are now in effect across Illinois from criminal justice and law enforcement, education and schools to gun control. This episode of “The 21st Show” highlights several new laws that Illinoisans might see play out in their daily life.

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Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of five piece jazz combo. Text reads

We Dig Mancini (153)

This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, we dig Mancini! And hour featuring of artists of the hi-fi era putting their spin on classic tunes from Henry Mancini. We’ll hear…
Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with an illustration of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart at a piano. Text reads

Rodgers & Hart (152)

On this edition of The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, we feature the songwriting team of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, the pair behind such classic songs as My Funny Valentine,…
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical

Music by de Falla, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Bruckner, and others

WILL AM

The 21st Show

Former marine Kevin Ryan talks economy, border control, ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Gaza while vying for Democratic nomination in Illinois Senate race

Kevin Ryan is a former teacher and United States Marine from the south suburbs of Chicago. He is now running in as a Democratic in the Primary race for U.S. Senate in…
The 217 Today Podcast
Two men in suits interact at a courthouse.

217 Today: Judge grants temporary restraining order to block the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funding

In today’s deep dive, Illinois and four other Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block a freeze on federal funding for childcare…
The 21st Show
 In this Feb. 21, 2007 file photo, Chief Illiniwek, mascot for the University of Illinois, performs for the last time during an Illinois basketball game in Champaign, Ill.

A deep look into the past and future of Native American mascots

Joseph Gone has spent decades studying Native American moscots — as a psychologist, as a member of the Aaniiih-Gros Ventre Tribal Nation, and as a University of Illinois…

WILL TV

Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 4 - December 2025

We introduce you to Bloomington artist Herb Eaton, learn the important role the “Illinois Country” played in the American Revolution, and get a special holiday performance…
Mid-American Gardener

A Visit to Prairie Fruits Farms for our December Shows

This week, Karen, Ella, and Jim come along to Prairie Fruits Farms in Urbana to wrap up the year in style!
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie

State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.