On the 21st: The GOP convention kicked off Monday in Cleveland. Plus, we talked about Decatur's community reaction after a shooting that took place last week. Also, why are so many Illinois trees dying? - One Champaign Master Gardener explained why. 

On The 21st: What will the new GMO labeling bill mean for consumers? And Evangelical Christians are leaning toward Trump in the presidential race, but not without reservations. Plus, what options are there for people dissatisfied with their ballot options?

List of Suggested Summer Reading by science communicator Joanne Manaster and Chicago-based science fiction writer Marcus Sakey.

On The 21st: As the world reacts to the most recent terrorist attack in the southern French town of Nice, we speak to a Nice native who’s recently relocated to Illinois. We also continued our summer books series with a talk about science and science fiction books with science communicator Joanne Manaster and Chicago sci-fi writer Marcus Sakey. Plus, we spoke with Savoy resident Betty Esser, who turned 102 this week.

On The 21st: Millions of Medicaid patients in Illinois lack access to affordable dental care, and this week, volunteers from across the state are stepping up to help. Also, two events in Illinois started today to honor police officers who died in line of duty. Plus, can social media be used to predict voting outcomes?

On The 21st, we talked about the trauma and grief that families go through after losing a loved one to gun violence with a Danville father whose son was killed in a shooting ten years ago and a Chicago psychiatrist. Plus, we heard about the historical significance of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, where presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton spoke today. We also talked about financial exploitation of the elderly with the director of a law clinic begun to help those very people.

In 1979, Liz Pryor lived in a wealthy Chicago suburb when she found she was pregnant. Her parents decided to keep this a secret forever. Now she's telling her story in a new memoir, which we discussed with the author. Also, we spoke with Sophia Byrd, one of the four teenage women who organized yesterday's Black Lives Matter protest of more than 200 people at Millennium Park. Finally, Pokémon Go — it's a phenomenon everywhere. We heard from people playing it on college campuses, as well as from Jennifer Golbeck, Director of the Social Intelligence Lab at the University of Maryland.

We talked with law professor and author Daniel Hatcher about his new book on America's "poverty industry" and spoke with an Illinois lawmaker about a proposal to protect money earmarked for foster children. Plus, in our weekly look at state politics, we spoke with the Peoria journalist who finally shaved off his "budget beard." 

On the next 21st: We heard how Illinois residents are reacting to the shootings that have taken place this week. We also spoke with the author of a new book about the Zika virus.

On The 21st: We learned about a new birth center in downstate Illinois and talked to families that choose to have their babies at home. We also spoke with the newest play-by-play announcer for the White Sox.

On The 21st: We talked with Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs about the state budget situation and the role of the treasurer in state government. We also discussed Zakat-al-Mal, an obligatory charity paid by those in the Muslim community. Plus, we looked into how Peoria is tackling issues of mitigating the effects of stormwater runoff with Anthony Corso, the city's first Chief Innovation Officer.

As Muslims in Illinois celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, a celebration that marks the end of Ramadan on Wednesday, we hear from members of the Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center in Urbana about how each day at sunset they broke their fast together during this past holy month.

On The 21st: We checked in with school districts and social service agencies to see how passing a six-month stopgap budget affects them. Also, we talked about fasting during Ramadan.

On this Fourth of July, we’re asking people - what’s your American Dream? The answer varies, depending on who you are, where you live, where you come from, and other factors. We heard many of those stories from the Multicultural Community Center in Rantoul, as part of our Re:Dream project.