State lawmakers have just two weeks to decide how they’ll move forward with several pieces of legislation. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin joins us to share his priorities. Plus, a southern Illinois mother faced thousands of dollars in hospital bills for her newborn because of Medicaid enrollment delays. She’s one of more than 112,000 who are facing problems with the program in Illinois. A new play at Steppenwolf explores the story of Ms. Joan Jett Blakk- a Chicago drag queen who ran for president in 1992.

Thomas Mangelsen has spent a lifetime in nature, taking millions of photos around the world. Now, his favorites are part of a new exhibit at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Chicago. Plus, Governor Pritzker says he wants to end the HIV epidemic in Illinois by 2030. Today, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health joins us to talk about what needs to be done to achieve that goal. And, Camp Kesem is a sleepaway camp for kids whose parents have been affected by cancer. We’ll talk with one Illinois mother and daughter about their experience.

With more American households renting now than at any point in the last 50 years, some lawmakers say it’s time to get rid of Illinois’ ban on rent control. Plus, can forgoing a daily latte really put you on better financial footing? It’s just some of the advice women are calling out. And, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is back on the field after being suspended for domestic violence. Also, throughout the summer, Brookfield Zoo visitors can experience the new “Brick Safari” Exhibit, which includes 40 different life-size animal sculptures.

Cook County has been named number one on a list of most at risk for the next measles outbreak. What does that mean for the rest of Illinois? Plus, we'll talk about what 5G might do in the ever-changing world of wireless technology. And, we remember the 40th anniversary of the crash of Flight 191. We'll speak with Kim Jockl, who lost her parents in the crash and organized a memorial in their honor.

Immigrants and refugees who have fled violence can have a hard time getting mental health care in the U.S. We speak with one man in Indiana working to change that. Plus, politicians are out in public all the time and the days of just business casual or black tie are long gone. But first, Democrats want more revenue for the state and gambling is a big piece of the puzzle, whether it’s video gaming or legal sports betting. We’ll talk about that as lawmakers approach crunch time in the Statehouse.

Do you have summer road trip plans yet? Because there are great food destinations that aren’t too far from Illinois. And, a Naperville native has racked up nearly $1.7 million on Jeopardy. We’ll talk about what it’s really like to be a contestant on a game show that millions of people watch every night. Plus, Science fiction is everywhere in today’s pop culture. And much of that can be traced back to the 30s and 40s in the form of a pulp magazine called 'Astounding.'

The U.S. Coast Guard has closed the Illinois River to all traffic due to major flooding, including a major levee breach this past weekend. And, syphilis is on the rise in counties in rural Illinois. We hear more about why this treatable disease is spreading. Plus, many Americans can’t afford a lawyer to help with their civil cases, but the Ask-A-Lawyer desk is here to help. And U of I and Northwestern have teamed up to form Illinois’ first database dedicated to twins and their genetic makeup. Also, people in southern Illinois have adopted a new unofficial mascot, Porkchop the pig.  

Kids in Illinois have to start kindergarten by the time they’re six years old. But a new bill that’s already passed the Senate, could lower that required age to five. Plus, Cook County has lowered bonds for people accused of violent domestic attacks. But a Chicago Tribune investigation shows that some victims feel like this change has put them at risk. Also, we'll talk about this year's list of Illinois' most Endangered Places. And, listeners in the Bloomington-Normal area have a new podcast to look forward to that focuses on local news. We’ll hear from WGLT about their new show, ‘The Leadoff.’

It’s a long road to changing our state’s income tax system, but on Wednesday Governor Pritzker and his supporters took a big step forward and got the plan through the state Senate. And the website TurboTax promised the IRS that lower-income earners could file for free, but the company has kept users away from its free version on purpose. And as hate crimes against Muslims in Illinois and the rest of the country become more visible, a new report out today tracks the millions of dollars and thousands of groups that are fueling anti-Islamic hate in America.

As Illinois inches closer to legalizing recreational marijuana, we take a look at what a more racially diverse legal cannabis marketplace would look like. Also, we'll talk about a new a new study which says that workplace wellness programs actually do little to improve overall health or lower spending. And, you might think tsunamis only affect islands halfway across the world. But, scientists say 'meteotsunamis' hit the Great Lakes more than one hundred times a year. 

After a recent decision by the Methodist church to uphold restrictions on LGBT clergy, we speak with ministers across Illinois about how their congregations are reacting. And, a new study finds excessive rainfall can be just as damaging to crops as drought. Plus, new research tracks bird migration by using the sightings of birdwatchers. 

Tech lobbying groups have gone after a new bill in Illinois that would ban companies from recording people without their knowledge. Plus, 700,000 high schoolers in the U.S. experience homelessness every year.  But, they can only get the help they need if their schools can identify them. How can that happen? And, we hear about seasonal food all the time. But what about seasonal cheeses?

The 21st was live from the Old State Capitol, which was home to our state government during the Civil War and to Abraham Lincoln’s famous “A House Divided” speech. Plus, in today's state politics, the former legislative inspector general says that the process for holding lawmakers accountable is broken. We’ll talk about why. And in 1994 five living presidents gathered for Richard Nixon’s funeral. A Springfield production of the play “Five Presidents" imagines what that meeting was like.

Governor JB Pritzker is under federal investigation for a property tax break on a Gold Coast mansion. Plus, for more than 50 years, Illinois veterans have been able to go to college tuition-free. It’s a great option for veterans, but it turns out the state hasn’t funded the program for years. And, the electric car startup Rivian has big plans for their factory in Normal. Now, the company also has a $500 million dollar investment from Ford. Finally, we'll sit down with the Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.