Illinois Public Media

History

Image of Route 66 right outside of the Art Institute

Route 66 in Illinois: Starting out in Chicago

 Route 66, America’s most famous highway is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is bound up in more than 300 miles of its stories. The 21st Show is highlighting some notable and historic places on the Illinois-portion of the Mother Road. To begin their statewide journey, the show traveled to the start of Route 66 in the heart of downtown Chicago. 
IPM Newsroom
Kassa Overall performs at the Gallery Art Bar on September 26 at 8pm
Illinois Classical
Illinois Classical 90.9

Your home for Classical and more in Central Illinois.
Prairie Performances
The oil painting Young Man Playing the Piano (1876), by Gustave Caillebotte, showing a man playing piano near a window during daytime.

Themes and Variations
This week on Prairie Performances, we listen to three pieces that can be classified as “themes and variations”—a musical form that offers variety to the listener while…
Dialogue
two men speaking on microphones

Pritzker and Bailey offer contrasting views of Illinois’ present and future under their leadership
Dialogue is sharing recent 21st Show interviews with Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and his opponent Darren Bailey (R).
The 21st Show
John Paget wrote and directed a new documentary called “Route 66: The Main Street of America.

Route 66 in Illinois: New film explores highway from coast-to-coast
We continue our series reflecting on 100 years of Route 66 — particularly the 300-or-so miles of it that span the 21st state. However, Route 66 goes well beyond the borders…
The 21st Show
An exhibit showcasing local history at the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington

Route 66 in Illinois: A look into McLean County’s ties to the Mother Road
As we continue our journey on Route 66, we’re stopping in Bloomington-Normal to check out the McLean County Museum of History. 
The 21st Show
Old Joliet Prison in Joliet, Illinois

Route 66 in Illinois: Exploring Old Joliet Prison
We continue our Route 66 journey heading southwest to the city of Joliet. Operating from 1858 through 2002, the Old Joliet Prison is now a tourist site. A local history…
Prairie Fire

“Prairie Fire” nominated for four Mid-America Emmy® Awards
Season three of WILL-TV's popular magazine show was nominated for four regional Emmy® Awards.
Mid-American Gardener

Late-Summer Garden Bounty: Dahlias, Vegetables and Beautiful Blooms
Shane and Chuck join Tinisha with an abundance of garden produce and beautiful blooms. And Kelly stops by to discuss caring for mums.
State of Change

Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet
We visit a zero-waste general store, a garden bringing a community together in a Chicago food desert, a program protecting pollinators, and advice to increase sustainability…