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.

RSS Link

Poet Langston Hughes, photographed by Gordon Parks in 1943. — Gordon Parks/U.S. Library of Congress

April 05, 2022

217 Today: Listen to the voice of Langston Hughes recorded over 60 years ago

In today's deep dive, we look back at a visit to the University of Illinois by the Black poet Langston Hughes that WILL broadcast in the late 1950s.

Listen

The main studio of WRM Radio (soon to be renamed WILL) on the University of Illinois campus, circa 1927. A piano was a common feature in an era when most music on the radio was live. The spring microphones of the time were designed to prevent undesired vibrations or feedback. Draperies lined the walls to improve acoustics. — Illinois Public Media

April 04, 2022

217 Today: WILL-AM celebrates 100th anniversary of first broadcast this week

In today's deep dive, we'll take a look back at the early days of WILL-AM as the station celebrates the 100th anniversary of its first broadcast this week.

Listen

Unless Congress acts to increase COVID-related spending, COVID tests and treatments will no longer be guaranteed free for uninsured people. — Justin Hicks/Indiana Public Broadcasting

April 01, 2022

217 Today: Health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore COVID-19 funding, experts warn

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why public health experts are warning that health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore funding to COVID-19 programs.

Listen

A man checks gas prices at a gas station in Buffalo Grove, Ill., Saturday, March 26, 2022. A University of Illinois professor says the Russian invasion of Ukraine is just one factor in high prices at the pump. — Nam Y. Huh/AP (file)

March 31, 2022

217 Today: Russian invasion of Ukraine is just one reason for rising gas prices, Illinois expert says

In today's deep dive, we'll hear from an University of Illinois economics professor why the Russian invasion of Ukraine is just one reason for rising gas prices.

Listen

Betsy Perabo, Richard Filipink, and Greg Baldi (from left to right) shortly before a panel discussion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in Macomb. — Rich Egger/TSPR

March 30, 2022

217 Today: Professors of history, religion and politics weigh in on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

In today's deep dive, we’ll hear from a panel of professors at Western Illinois University on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Listen

Dr. Dave Will’s wife and sons had a front row seat to the pandemic’s most uncertain and scariest moments because of his work in an Indianapolis hospital. — Farah Yousry/Side Effects Public Media

March 29, 2022

217 Today: Children of frontline healthcare workers saw the pandemic’s scariest moments

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how the pandemic has affected the children of frontline health workers.

Listen

March 28, 2022

217 Today: Healthcare industry looks to blockchain to help securely share data

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn how OSF Healthcare is hoping to use blockchain technology to securely share data.

Listen

Then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, at the Illinois State Capitol on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, in Springfield. After federal prosecutors indicted former House Speaker Michael Madigan, there's little appetite in Springfield for more ethics reforms this spring. — Seth Perlman/AP (file)

March 25, 2022

217 Today: Government reform advocates say Illinois needs further ethics reform after Madigan indictment

In today's deep dive, we’ll find out why government reform advocates say Illinois needs further ethics reform after the indictment of former House Speaker Michael Madigan.

Listen