Before the embargo - U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba were worth about $600 million a year - in today’s prices.  Others estimate Cuba is a $1.2 billion market for agricultural exports if the embargo and other trade barriers are lifted. Today on The 21st we explored what an open Cuba would mean for Illinois. Also, how a team of Illinois State University researchers and a turtle are changing STEM education. 

The CEO of Ebert Companies - Chaz Ebert - gave us a preview of what films will be featured at EbertFest next month and spoke with us about the role of politics and diversity in Hollywood. We also learned about an effort to get rural schoolgirls more excited about math and science, via MakerGirl’s 3D-printing workshops.

Politicans and special interests poured millions into this 2016 Illinois primary, with this unusual election season bringing lots of interest to both the presidential and even some local races. The 21st team brings you the winners, losers and takeways the day after the election, and looks forward to the general vote in November.

Welcome to our first edition of The 21st show! On March 14, 2016, we talked about our country's political divide and the consequences of what that means for Illinois. We also spoke with two student entrepreneurs who have co-founded an Illinois company working to create a new generation of prosthetic hands for amputees around the world.

With the Illinois Primary coming up next week on March 15th, we’ve been speaking to candidates across the state. Oswego businessman James Marter is among the three Democrats and two Republicans vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mark Kirk.

With the Illinois Primary coming up next week on March 15th, we’ve been speaking to candidates across the state. Fifteenth District State Senator Napoleon Harris (Democrat, Harvey) is among the three Democrats and two Republicans vying for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mark Kirk.

Former Chicago Urban League CEO Andrea Zopp talks about her 2016 Democratic primary campaign for U.S. Senate representing Illinois.

"Just knowing how to talk to people and knowing how to treat people, these are the most important skills in being a cop," said Michael Schlosser, Director of the Police Training Institute at the U of I.

We know that drinking to excess is not good, but that small amounts of alcohol can have health benefits. It turns out - there can also be social rewards from alcohol. That’s the focus of Catharine Fairbairn’s research. She’s an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Illinois.

The U.S. is experiencing the lowest rates of uninsured people in more than 50 years. Yet in this new Affordable Care Act era, free and charitable clinics continue to play a critical role, according to public health researcher Julie Darnell.

Catholic Charities of Chicago is sounding the alarm bell about social services being affected by the Illinois state budget impasse.

Has Islamophobia become mainstream for Americans? Playwright, Nicole Anderson-Cobb addresses this issue in her new play, Campus Jihad.

Governor Bruce Rauner presented his 2017 budget today, February 17. But we’re in uncharted territory here - because as we all know - we don’t have a 2016 budget. There are so many questions about this budget impasse. During the hour before the governor’s speech we took your questions.

Kathryn Harris is the first African American, and the first woman to hold the title of President of the Abraham Lincoln Association.