Illinois Public Media

Science

A picture of author Maggie Hennessy and a photo of her book “The Burger Bible: The Complete Lowdown on the Humble Hamburger.”

A look at America’s most iconic sandwich through a Midwestern lens

 Watch (and listen to) this special episode of The 21st Show in video podcast format. Learn how Illinois and the greater Midwest helped shape America’s favorite hand-held food, the hamburger. Featured guest Maggie Hennessy is a food and drink writer for WBEZ and author of “The Burger Bible: The Complete Lowdown on the Humble Hamburger.”
IPM Newsroom
Black Music Month performance by Certified Organic, June 4, 2026 at the Gallery Art Bar starting at 7:30pm.
Illinois Classical
Illinois Classical 90.9

Your home for Classical and more in Central Illinois.
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
Music by Schubert, Mahler, Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Ravel, and others
Dialogue
ochestra conductor, man looking at camera

Direct from Champaign: A Hamilton star and a Student Virtuoso talk about raising the bar
Our Dialogue for Teens hosts learn about a ‘Hamilton’ star who rose from Champaign to Broadway and an emerging talent from Centennial High School.
The 21st Show

A look at America’s most iconic sandwich through a Midwestern lens
As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, there are few things as American as the hamburger. So how has Illinois and the greater Midwest contributed to America’s…
The 21st Show
Gas prices are displayed at a gas station in Morton Grove, Ill, Thursday, May 14, 2026.

How the Iran war is impacting Illinoisans at the gas pump
The Iran war has caused a massive hike in gas prices across the nation. 
The 21st Show

Family planning using natural methods vs. contraceptives
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is overhauling its family planning programs- prioritizing natural methods over contraceptives. How do the two approaches…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 6 - March 2026
We introduce you to the art of Brian Dettmer, get a special performance from hip-hop duo Mother Nature, and visit with quilter Millie Sorrells, who shows us creativity has no…
News Local/State

Behind The Mic: News & Public Affairs Reginald Hardwick loves meeting new people through journalism
After two decades as a television producer in Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth, IPM News Director Reginald Hardwick switched to public media ten years ago. 
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…