The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Illinois Gov. Pritzker on why his state is hosting Texas state lawmakers

 

AP Photo / Erin Hooley

Thursday, August 7, 2025

Today’s headlines: 

  • More than 200 people who work for Illinois Extension are losing their jobs.
  • After a toxin-producing algal bloom made the drinking water in Mattoon unsafe for nearly a week, the Mattoon City Council is taking action to prevent it from happening again.
  • Illinois State Police are investigating after a bomb threat was made at a suburban hotel hosting Democrats from Texas.
  • In an Illinois State Fair tradition dating back more than 100 years – the state’s butter cow has been unveiled.

In today’s deep dive, governor JB Pritzker speaks to NPR about why Illinois is hosting a group of Texas state lawmakers as they protest a partisan redistricting effort in their state.

217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Todd Gleason, Alex Degman and Juana Summers.

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