The 21st Show

Will There Be A Citzenship Question On The Census? The Bahamas Bowl; Wakandacon; Seasonal Allergies

By Niala Boodhoo, Alan Montecillo, Libby Foster, and Robin Linn
 

Michelle R. Smith/AP

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On the 21st: A new question might be added to the census: is this person a citizen of the United States? Plus, A northwest Chicago suburb is the new title sponsor of the Bahamas Bowl. And, more than 2,000 people got together this past weekend in downtown Chicago for the first ever Wakandacon. Then, we talked about what to do to help minimize the effects of seasonal allergies.

Every ten years, the federal government counts the number of people living in the United States. It's actually mandated by our Constitution -- and the data from that census can determine everything from your congressional district, to federal dollars for things like public schools, housing, and healthcare.

Earlier this year the Trump administration announced plans to add another question to the 2020 census form: Is this person a citizen of the United States?

Well since then, more than two dozen cities and states have sued the federal government over this citizenship question - including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

2020 might seem far away -- but the Commerce Department is also accepting public comments right now on the census. That period actually ends tomorrow, and in a few minutes we’ll hear from a Chicago nonprofit that is hoping to get more people in Illinois to comment on this  citizenship question.

But first, joining us was Hansi Lo Wang, he’s been covering demographics and the 2020 census as a national correspondent for NPR. Anita Banerji was also with us, she directs the Democracy Initiative for the Chicago non-profit Forefront.

Plus—

What comes to mind when you think about the Bahamas? Sun and sand? But - maybe not  Elk Grove Village?

The Chicago suburb on the northwest side of the city announced last week that it’s the new title sponsor of the Bahamas Bowl. This means that when if you tune into the college football game on ESPN in December you’ll see the quote - Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, with Makers Wanted as the village’s official business slogan. It was previously sponsored by Popeye’s.

Elk Grove’s mayor Craig Johnson was on the line to tell us more about how this all came to be.

And— 

When the superhero movie Black Panther was released back in February of this year, you could say it was kind of a big deal. Over its theatrical run, the movie grossed a worldwide total of more than $1.3 billion dollars, and it is slated to become the third highest-grossing film of all time.

Black Panther is also the highest grossing film ever from a black director.

And, excitement over Black Panther is not going anywhere. This weekend, more than 2,000 people got together in downtown Chicago to celebrate the first ever Wakandacon.

Started by group of three Chicago-area siblings, creators envisioned a place where fans could use the principles and themes from Black Panther to start bigger conversations about Black community, history and culture.

We were joined by Chicago Tribune writers Darcel Rocket and Christen Johnson, who told us how it went at the first-ever WacandaCon.

Then—

If you’re like Niala, then in addition to enjoying the summer weather, you may also be suffering from late summer allergies.

According to the American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, tens of millions of Americans suffer allergy symptoms related to tree, grass and weed pollens all year round. But it’s especially bad right now. Or at least sure feels that way!

So what can you do? Amy Jessup was on the line with us from Carle in central Illinois. She’s a Nurse Practitioner specializing in allergies.

Story source: WILL