The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Brian Moline
 
James Kilgore, co-director of First Followers in Champaign, says individuals should be fully free after serving time and that states should provide resources for the transition after jail and prison.

James Kilgore, co-director of First Followers in Champaign, says individuals should be fully free after serving time and that states should provide resources for the transition after jail and prison. woodleywonderworks/CC BY 2.0

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Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says he's hopeful a new law will help slow illegal gun transfers, as universal background checks will be required for all private gun sales.

  • Local health officials are encouraging people who'd previously decided against getting the coronavirus vaccine to reconsider.

  • Bald eagle populations continue to rebound in Illinois and across the country.

  • WCIA-TV reports that Gov. JB Pritzker will announce new coronavirus protocols today, which could include a statewide mask mandate for schools.

In today's deep dive, we learn more about a new group led by formerly incarcerated people that has launched a campaign to end what it calls "permanent punishments" for people who have been convicted of felonies.

Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Christine Herman, Jim Meadows and Vivian La.