Illinois Public Media

History

Christopher Sweet (left) is the author of

Book sheds light on unique history of bicycling in Illinois

 Before Schwinn was a household name, before Chicago had a single protected bike lane, and before cars became one of the dominant forces in American life, the 21st state was arguably the center of American bicycling. Christopher Sweet spent nearly a decade digging through archives, scrapbooks, and old cycling magazines to tell that story in a “A History of Bicycling in Illinois: 160 Years of Booms and Busts.” Listen to Sweet's interview with “The 21st Show.” 
IPM Newsroom
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Illinois Classical
Illinois Classical 90.9

Your home for Classical and more in Central Illinois.
Prairie Performances
A treble clef growing a white flower next to the words

Beautiful Beginnings
On this season premiere of Prairie Performances, we celebrate beautiful beginnings with beloved classical overtures. 
Dialogue

Dialogue Roundup: Data Center Debate, Champaign Youth Summer Job Program, and Dire Results of a Hospital Shutdown
A push to regulate data centers, Champaign Unit 4 students tell us what they've learned in their summer jobs, and it’s been more than three months since a West Side hospital…
The 21st Show

The impact of light pollution on night skies
When was the last time you got a really clear view of the night sky? There is an entire universe out there, but artificial lighting has cut us off from it. 
The 21st Show
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony in November 2024 in downtown Belleville.

Senator Tammy Duckworth talks Iran War, women in combat, and SAVE Act
Senator Tammy Duckworth discusses the Iran war and other changes happening in the Department of Defense, the voter registration changes President Trump is calling for in the…
The 21st Show

Is election security at risk in Illinois?
The second Trump administration has tried to assert more control over elections … using false claims about election security as justification. We’ll talk about security…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 7 - May 2026
For this month's Prairie Fire, students from the University of Illinois’ College of Media spent a semester producing five short documentaries highlighting food, skating,…
Mid-American Gardener

Propagation, Hail Recovery & Summer Garden Tips
In this episode of Mid-American Gardener, Tinisha is joined by horticulturists Karen Ruckle and Ella Maxwell for hands-on advice on how to keep your garden thriving all…
State of Change

Small gestures to make a big difference in preserving our planet
We visit a zero-waste general store, a garden bringing a community together in a Chicago food desert, a program protecting pollinators, and advice to increase sustainability…