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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Andrew Simek plays Harold Hill in CUTC's The Music Man. — KT Burke

July 26, 2023

217 Today: The Music Man is back in the Virginia Theater

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about Champaign Urbana Theatre Company presenting its fourth rendition of the Music Man.

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Images from a state facility condition assessment at Pontiac Correctional Center show holes in ceilings and walls and chipping paint. Pontiac Correctional Center is the most expensive prison in the state to operate. — Pontiac Correctional Center, Livingston County, 651-000-174 Facility Condition Assessment

July 26, 2023

217 Today: Illinois prisons need $2.5 billion in repairs, and that’s just the beginning

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the poor conditions in some Illinois prisons and what state consultants recommend for them.

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July 25, 2023

217 Today: 1 in 5 people in McLean County are on Medicaid. And a big shakeup is coming.

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn about how recent Medicaid redeterminations may impact people in McLean County.

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Ryan Krenk, a farmer outside of Seward, Nebraska, and Jenny Rees, an extension educator with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, examine one of Krenk’s corn fields on July 11, 2023. Before the early July rainfall, all of Krenk’s corn was as short as the smallest plants in this patch. — Sarah Lawlor For Harvest Public Media

July 24, 2023

217 Today: Drought made Midwest and Great Plains crops look ‘like death.’ Recent rains bring some hope

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the drought conditions in the Midwest and how helpful recent rainstorms have been for crops.

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Sinfonia da Camera music director Ian Hobson will lead this year's Summer Piano Institute, which features public masterclasses and performances in Smith Memorial Hall July 24-29. — Sinfonia da Camera

July 20, 2023

217 Today: Sinfonia da Camera hosts piano institute, announces season 40

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about the upcoming University of Illinois’ summer piano institute ahead of its 40th season.

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The George Leighton Criminal Courthouse at 2650 S. California Ave. in Little Village, pictured in May 2022. — Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times

July 19, 2023

217 Today: Illinois Supreme Court becomes the first state to end cash bail system

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how Illinois will become the first state in the nation to end cash bail this fall.

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July 19, 2023

217 Today: New provost comes to U of I after increasing diverse enrollment

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear a conversation with the new provost of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson is stepping down as leader of Rainbow PUSH, a civil rights organization he founded five decades ago. — Owen Ziliak / Chicago Sun-Times

July 18, 2023

217 Today: Rev. Jesse Jackson Senior has stepped down from his role as leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear a conversation with Natalie Moore about Reverend Jesse Jackson Senior’s work during his time as leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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