The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deeper dive, with more territory than some states, Illinois’ 15th District covers a large section of southeast and south-central Illinois. Illinois Newsroom’s Jim Meadows talked to some of the 15th District’s residents as they prepare to elect a new representative.

In today's deeper dive, we’ll learn about memorial funds honoring a local musician who died earlier this year. Nick Rudd was a stalwart on the Champaign-Urbana music scene for decades.

In today's deeper dive, Black farmers in the Midwest historically struggled with all the challenges facing other farmers, but they also were held back by systemic racism. We’ll learn more about the challenges of being a Black farmer in the Midwest.

In today's deeper dive, sexually transmitted infections –or STIs -have been on the rise for years. But the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted public health efforts to address the issue.

In today's deeper dive, we’ll hear about a new federal grant to help fight human trafficking in Central Illinois from officials with the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria.

In today's deeper dive, the Champaign County Forest Preserve District is looking for more revenue to maintain its parks. We’ll learn about a property tax referendum on the ballot in Champaign County.

In today's deeper dive, we’ll learn more about a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November that would change the state of Illinois’ income tax structure from a flat tax to a graduated one.

In today's deeper dive, farmers are trying to figure out what they can expect from the next president, whether it’s Joe Biden or four more years of Donald Trump.

In today's deeper dive, among the many people adjusting to a new normal during the pandemic are school bus drivers. We’ll check in with drivers in Rockford to see how they’re handling COVID-19.