WILL-AM

The 21st Show

February 04, 2026

GOP U.S. Senate candidate Casey Chlebek, Polish immigrant, talks immigration reform, taxes, ‘cultural Marxism’

Casey Chlebek is one of the half dozen Republicans running in the primary for the U.S. Senate race in Illinois. Born and raised in Poland before immigrating to Chicago, Chlebek shares his own story of immigration while pitching ideas for immigration reform as well as his thoughts on cultural Marxism.

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The 217 Today Podcast

February 04, 2026

217 Today: What’s Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 5 – Feb 8

We’ll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

The 21st Show

February 03, 2026

How Tom Burell made advertising with Black people, for Black people

Tom Burrell revolutionized advertising in the 1970s, shifting the industry from racist depictions of African Americans to positive and realistic portrayals. Jason Chambers' new biography, Advertising Revolutionary: The Life and Work of Tom Burrell, highlights Burrell's significant contributions to advertising, emphasizing his role in integrating African American culture into mainstream media​​.

The 217 Today Podcast

February 03, 2026

217 Today: A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers

In today’s deep dive, an allergy to red meat spread by tick bites affects nearly half a million Americans.

The 21st Show

February 02, 2026

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Awisi Bustos on her government experience, ‘militarization’ of ICE, and affordability

As we continue our series of U.S. Senate candidate interviews, we sit down with Awisi Quartey Bustos, who has extensive experience working in government as well as private sector. She discusses the economy, the need for reforming ICE, and why her past roles working for the state are valuable. 

The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: talk@21stshow.org. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.   

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0 
Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The 217 Today Podcast

February 02, 2026

217 Today: Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices

A celebration of Illinois Soul's second year on air.

Weather Realness

January 31, 2026

What a warming climate means for winters in Illinois

After a massive snowstorm swept across the country, we learn more while Illinois is seeing warmer winters and surprising snowfall.

Weather Realness

January 31, 2026

What’s behind weeks of snow and extreme cold in Illinois?

We talked about the massive winter storm that hit Central Illinois and across the U.S. which brought heavy snow to some areas, freezing rain and sleet.

The 21st Show

January 30, 2026

Celebrating ‘Groundhog Day’ in Woodstock, Illinois with actor Stephen Tobolowsky

Groundhog Day is Monday, and the 1993 movie with that name means a lot to Woodstock, Illinois, where it was filmed. We’ll talk about the city’s annual festival, which this year features actor Stephen Tobolowsky, who played insurance salesman Ned Ryerson.

The 21st Show

January 30, 2026

Why has it taken so long to repair the Alton sinkhole?

It’s been 18 months since a giant sinkhole opened beneath a sports complex in Alton, Illinois. It slowly filled up with water and is finally getting drained. We’ll talk about why it took so long and rate the probability of similar calamities in the future.