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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Sara Mendez, 8th grade English Language Development Teacher at Monmouth-Roseville Junior High School was named the 2024 Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. — Jane Carlson / Tri States Public Radio

February 23, 2024

217 Today: ‘The most devoted:’ Monmouth-Roseville educator named Illinois Bilingual Teacher of Year

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about this year’s Bilingual Teacher of the Year.

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The Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana pose as a choir in November 2022. — Chris Wille

February 22, 2024

217 Today: Music director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana previews the group’s upcoming concert

In today's deep dive, we’ll listen to a conversation with the director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana about their upcoming performance.

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In this 2013 file photo, John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, shows off an AR-15 assault rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. Under a new state law, such weapons are banned unless their owners register the weapons with the Illinois State Police. A WBEZ analysis shows that the lowest registration rates are found in rural downstate counties. — Seth Perlman / Associated Press

February 21, 2024

217 Today: After Illinois banned assault weapons, rural gun owners registered very few of them

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about a new Illinois law that allowed gun owners to keep assault-style weapons if they disclosed them by January first — and take a look at the registration rates across the state.

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Unit 4's International Prep Academy teachers Christina Cañas (left) and Abby Heras attend a workshop on Asian American children's books on Aug. 1, 2023 at the University of Illinois College of Education in Champaign. — Emily Hays/Illinois Public Media

February 19, 2024

217 Today: Illinois requires public schools to teach LGBTQ+, Asian American and pre-enslavement Black history. Are teachers ready?

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how prepared Illinois teachers feel to teach students about racially inclusive history.

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Anthony stands in the backyard of his new home. Anthony is now the second First Followers client who has purchased a home after returning from prison. — Farrah Anderson / Illinois Public Media

February 16, 2024

217 Today: One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how one man's journey to homeownership is helping a local re-entry group consider how they can help other clients purchase their own homes.

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Having different political views than a romantic partner can affect the way that people consume news — and research shows partisan news media can trigger conflict in the relationship.

February 16, 2024

217 Today: Here’s what research shows about how couples can thrive despite political differences

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how opposing political views can trigger conflict between people in romantic relationships.

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Wind turbines near Burlington Junction in northwest Missouri, on Oct. 15, 2022. Local governments throughout the Midwest and Great Plains have moved to restrict such projects in recent years. — Photo: Carlos Moreno / KCUR

February 15, 2024

217 Today: Some Midwest states take power to ban wind and solar projects away from local communities

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how two Midwestern states recently passed laws making it hard for local governments to say no to green projects.

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