The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Tuesday March 16, 2021

Brian Moline and Olivia Butts
 
Gov. JB Pritzker gives House Bill 2170 his final signature, flanked by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, during an event at Proviso East High School on Monday.

Gov. JB Pritzker gives House Bill 2170 his final signature, flanked by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, during an event at Proviso East High School on Monday. Screenshot/Blueroomstream.com

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Tuesday March 16, 2021

Today’s headlines:

  • Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis alludes to a possible run for governor at a meeting with farmers in Champaign on Monday.

  • The U.S. Department of Education last year approved Illinois’ request to waive tests like the SAT due to the pandemic. However, the federal goverment recently rejected that same request for this year.

  • Community colleges in central Illinois are seeing fewer students enroll during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Illinois reported 782 new COVID-19 cases Monday. That’s the lowest number since last summer, but it also reflected a low number of tests processed ---around 39,000.

In today’s deep dive, just about one year since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Illinois, we’ll hear from Illinois governor JB Pritzker. He talks with Illinois Public Radio Statehouse Editor Hannah Meisel.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Jim Meadows, Derek Cantu, Vivian La, and Hannah Meisel.