On the 21st: One in 5 children in Illinois are from families who worry about where they’ll get their next meal. What’s being done to get healthy meals to kids in Illinois this summer? Also, we revisit our conversation with former poet laureate Natasha Trethewey about how poetry can help Americans better understand each other. 

On the 21st: We spoke with Chicago author Samantha Irby about her hilarious new book. Plus, a new species of the invasive Asian Carp has been spotted near Peoria.

On the 21st: What’s it like to be a Mexican restaurant owner in this political climate? Plus, we learn why college students who have to take out loans can have a harder time graduating, and get the latest in Illinois politics.

On the 21st: What happens when black holes collide? We get a down-to-earth explanation from Northwestern University researchers of some of the most violent and energetic processes in the universe. Plus, the state budget crisis has led to more than 2,000 jobs cut at public universities, and social entrepreneur Justin Dillon shares why he thinks everyone can make a difference.

On the 21st: Following Wednesday's shooting, members from both sides of the aisle have sent messages of support and have called for civility in this heated political climate. We spoke with current and former politicians and a communications expert about political rhetoric, bipartisanship and what this moment means for our country. We also got the latest on an appellate court hearing in southern Illinois over state worker pay and learn about plants that can be toxic to pets.

The Illinois senator said his office turned over 16 emails to law enforcement yesterday following the alleged gunman's attack on GOP lawmakers in Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday.

On the 21st: We heard Illinois legislators reactions to a shooting that took place during a GOP Congressional baseball game practice. Also, we learned about how schools are trying to prevent "lunch shaming" and what the Loving vs. Virginia case means 50 years later. 

Illinois legislators are reacting on Twitter to a shooting during a practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. Five people, including Rep. Steve Scalise, were shot. 

On the 21st: An immigration lawyer and a constitutional law scholar answered questions about what states can and can’t do regarding immigration enforcement. Plus, we spoke with the president of the Illinois Trail of Tears associations on three sites being added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

On the 21st: As summer begins, we launch a series on preventing gun violence across Illinois, beginning with our state capital, Springfield. We also look at what Illinois can learn from other state's budget impasses, and learn about new research on the benefits of trees. 

On the 21st: Illinois legislators ended yesterday’s final scheduled session without approving crucial state funding. We heard from listeners and spoke with stakeholders. Plus, the director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services announced he's stepping down, amidst an ongoing ethics probe and following several recent deaths of children whose homes were being investigated.

On the 21st: Today is the last scheduled day for state lawmakers and the 700th day without a state budget. We spoke with Civic Federation President Laurence Msall on what an ideal state budget proposal would look like. We also spoke with faculty and a student from Northeastern Illinois University about 180 layoffs that will begin this summer. 

On the 21st: We learned about how a program aimed at reducing wait times for veterans needing medical care has experienced mixed results in Illinois. Plus, we talked with lawmakers behind a bill aimed at reducing hate crimes in Illinois and got an update on state politics with reporters from across the state.

On the 21st: We talked about a scrapped controversial proposal for an immigration detention center in Rockford. Plus, we heard about the struggle to retain 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers, and we spoke with Dan Durley, a Chicago singer-songwriter gearing up to release his first solo album.