WILL-AM

Governor JB Pritzker at a previous State of the State address. — AP Photo

The 21st Show

February 21, 2024

Governor Pritzker’s State of the State Speech

Governor JB Pritzker's annual State of the State and Budget address live coverage and analysis.

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In this 2013 file photo, John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, shows off an AR-15 assault rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. Under a new state law, such weapons are banned unless their owners register the weapons with the Illinois State Police. A WBEZ analysis shows that the lowest registration rates are found in rural downstate counties. — Seth Perlman / Associated Press

The 217 Today Podcast

February 21, 2024

217 Today: After Illinois banned assault weapons, rural gun owners registered very few of them

In today's deep dive, we'll learn more about a new Illinois law that allowed gun owners to keep assault-style weapons if they disclosed them by January first — and take a look at the registration rates across the state.

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The 21st Show

February 20, 2024

Interviewing Abraham Lincoln (GPT)

A dialogue with GPT-4 (voiced by an Abraham Lincoln intepreter).

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Unit 4's International Prep Academy teachers Christina Cañas (left) and Abby Heras attend a workshop on Asian American children's books on Aug. 1, 2023 at the University of Illinois College of Education in Champaign. — Emily Hays/Illinois Public Media

The 217 Today Podcast

February 19, 2024

217 Today: Illinois requires public schools to teach LGBTQ+, Asian American and pre-enslavement Black history. Are teachers ready?

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how prepared Illinois teachers feel to teach students about racially inclusive history.

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The 21st Show

February 19, 2024

Best of: Author Elizabeth Mitchell on Civil War-era “fake news”

We revisited a conversation about how a damaging hoax published by newspapers almost brought down the Union during the Civil War, and how hoaxes persist today with the author of "Lincoln's Lie."

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The 21st Show

February 19, 2024

Best of: The free press vs. the west wing

As long as there have been presidents of the United States, there have been presidents complaining about their coverage in the press. We revisit a conversation with an author about the relationship between the free press and the west wing from the early years of American history.

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Anthony stands in the backyard of his new home. Anthony is now the second First Followers client who has purchased a home after returning from prison. — Farrah Anderson / Illinois Public Media

The 217 Today Podcast

February 16, 2024

217 Today: One man’s re-entry charts a path for more formerly incarcerated people to buy homes

In today's deep dive, we’ll learn more about how one man's journey to homeownership is helping a local re-entry group consider how they can help other clients purchase their own homes.

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