Encore: Book explores Illinois’ journey to statehood

James A. Edstrom wrote Avenues of Transformation: Illinois’s Path From Territory to State. He teaches state and American history as a professor of library services and history at Harper College in Palatine. His book looks at the persuasion and power that went into Illinois statehood and how we’re still living with the consequences of decisions made more than 200 years ago, such as slavery and Black codes.

This conversation originally aired on Aug. 11, 2022. Click below for the audio.