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Emily Van Duyn is an assistant professor of communication at the University of Illinois and author of the book

The 21st Show

Why do some keep their political beliefs hidden?

Many feel that in their slice of America, they are not free to say whatever they want about politics. Yet, while the blue-city Republican and the red-state Democrat might feel isolated, they are not alone. We were joined by a University of Illinois professor who studied one such group of political outliers to talk about what she found. 

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Former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan parks in the garage at his Southwest Side home, Wednesday afternoon, March 2, 2022
Ashlee Rezin / Chicago Sun-Times

The 21st Show

Unpacking the Madigan indictment

Michael Madigan was often considered the most powerful politician in Illinois; however, yesterday, he was indicted on federal corruption charges. The 21st was joined by two political reporters to walk through what he's accused of and what we know about the investigation so far.

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The city of Rockford in northwestern Illinois had made great strides in its campaign against homelessness, but the pandemic slowed that progress.
Susan Stephens/WNIJ

The 21st Show

The fight to end homelessness in Rockford

By 2020, Rockford was on the verge of ending homelessness entirely, but then, the pandemic hit, amplifying existing housing needs and economic pressures and causing the city to have to adapt and continue its fight. The 21st was joined by the city's mayor and housing advocates to talk about what Rockford has done and what other cities can do to combat homelessness.

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Float riders toss trinkets at the Krewe of Cleopatra Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. Mardi Gras season is kicking into high gear with a slew of major parades throughout New Orleans. Although Carnival season officially began Jan. 6, the festivities really kick into high gear the two weekends ahead of Fat Tuesday.
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

The 21st Show

Fat Tuesday traditions in Illinois

Every Fat Tuesday, thousands of people across Illinois line up at bakeries and grocery stores for the famous Polish pastries known as “paczki." In Illinois, the fourth most Polish state in the U.S. and Chicago, with the highest percentage of its population being Polish, the fluffy-cloud like pastries sometimes make a reappearance for Casimir Pulaski Day on the first Monday in March. We talked about the pastries and the traditions that come with them with two Central Illinois bakers. 

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Sep 30, 2020 - A beach flag ceremony for a B-24 crew found in the Solomon Islands by Project Recover. When an MIA crash site is located, a flag ceremony is held for each crew member Missing In Action. The flags are then given to the Keeper Of The Flags until the MIA are repatriated and the flags are then presented to the family.
Harry Parker/Project Recover

The 21st Show

Thousands of Americans went missing in war. These men are bringing them home.

Tens of thousands of Americans who gave their lives in wars around the world have not yet received a proper burial. This week, a team helping locate those missing in action is in Illinois to talk about their work and how technology is changing their searches. Two of them joined us to talk about the search for missing service members and the technology that's help them in their efforts.

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