The 217 Today Podcast | Illinois Public Media

Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.

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For the first time in Illinois history, it will be possible for police officers to be stripped of their ability to work in law enforcement without having been convicted of a crime. But some say the proposed rules from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board don’t go far enough. — Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki

October 14, 2024

217 Today: New proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how new proposed rules would lower the bar for stripping police officers of their badges in Illinois.

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Corn is harvested in late September on Nick Koeller's farm in Greenfield, Illinois. Prices for corn and other crops have fallen, meaning farmers expect to make less money this year. — Sophie Proe / St. Louis Public Radio

October 11, 2024

217 Today: Farmers are making less money this year, which could have larger economic consequences

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn why farmers are making less money this year and what the consequences of that may be.

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Sontae Massey (right) consoles a teary Donna Massey during a vigil for their loved one, Sonya Massey, Aug. 6 in Sonya’s front yard in Springfield. Sonya Massey was shot and killed by former Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. Her death has prompted calls from the community for changes to how emergency mental health calls are handled. — Mawa Iqbal / WBEZ

October 10, 2024

217 Today: In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how Sonya Massey’s death at the hands of law enforcement has sparked calls for changes to how emergency mental health calls are handled.

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Ava Petersen is an 8th-grade student at Hannah Beardsley Middle School in Crystal Lake. — Emily Buellesbach

October 09, 2024

217 Today: Crystal Lake schools expand mental health services, including free teletherapy

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about mental health support services for students at a northern Illinois middle school.

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Generic drugs have brought life-changing treatments within reach for millions of Americans, including Lisa Ann Trainor of Princeton, New Jersey. — Dave Hernandez for Tradeoffs

October 08, 2024

217 Today: Cheap, effective generic drugs underpin U.S. health care. Now they’re under threat

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the problems that threaten America’s generic drug industry.

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DeKalb High School's cafeteria — Peter Medlin / WNIJ

October 07, 2024

217 Today: Everyone eats for free at the biggest restaurant in Dekalb

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how one school in Illinois provides free meals for its students.

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traci kato-kiriyama interacts with an audience member after their talk at the Spurlock Museum on Thursday, Sept. 26. She signed copies of her book, “Navigating With(out) Instruments.” — Adelyn Mui / Illinois Student Newsroom

October 04, 2024

217 Today: Artist traci kato-kiriyama reflects on trauma, healing and collective care during U of I residency

In today's deep dive, we'll listen to a conversation with a multidisciplinary artist as they reflect on why it’s important to share our stories and not hold back emotion.

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For Northwestern University senior Adam Jaffe, Hillel has been his home away from home. But the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s onslaught of Gaza have complicated that. — Lisa Kurian Philip / WBEZ

October 03, 2024

217 Today: A year into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jewish college students struggle to find a shared home on campus

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis over the past year have drawn out deep divisions among Jewish college students.

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