Illinois Public Media

Politics

A photograph of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. In it, Jackson joins the crowd before the start of the world welterweight championship bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2, 2015.

Illinois politicians reflect on Jesse Jackson’s legacy, life, and contributions

 The Rev. Jesse Jackson, an American civil rights leader, minister, and politician, who was a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and in the 1980s reshaped Democratic politics with two galvanizing presidential campaigns, died Tuesday at the age of 84. Officials and organizations from Illinois are paying tribute and remembering Jackson.
IPM Newsroom
New season of PBS Series: Sisi, Austrian Empress.
Clef Notes

Jupiter String Quartet Welcomes New Violinist, Mélanie Clapiès
We sat down with Dr. Mélanie Clapiès, the Jupiter String Quartet’s new violinist, ahead of her first concert at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on March 12.…
Afternoon at the Opera

Afternoon at the Opera: Idomeneo
On this episode of Afternoon at the Opera, the 1986 rebroadcast of Mozart's Idomeneo. Saturday at Noon on Illinois Classical.
Evening Concert

The Evening Concert on Illinois Classical
ILLINOIS CLASSICAL: The Evening Concert: FEBRUARY 15 – 16 –17 – 18 – 19 – 20, 2026 
The 21st Show
Governor JB Pritzker delivers his 2026 State of the State Address.

Governor Pritzker talks housing affordability, crackdown on junk fees, and education policies in 2026 Budget Address
Governor JB Pritzker addressed a variety of topics in his 2026 State of the State Address.  Two policy experts share their takeaways and analysis of the speech.The 21st…
The 21st Show
21st Show host Brian Mackey speaks to Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (Bottom left) and President of the Illinois State Senate Don Harmon (Bottom right) prior to Governor Pritzker's address.

Preview of Governor Pritzker’s 2026 Budget Address
Governor JB Pritzker is delivering his annual State of the State address in which he plans to share his vision for taxes and spending in government. It comes after an intense…
The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years
Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years?
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…
News Local/State
three people at podcast studio

2026 IPM News Forum with Champaign County Executive candidates
The two Democrats running for Champaign County Executive in the 2026 primary shared their views on data centers, federal immigration enforcement and much more.
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.