WILL-AM | Illinois Public Media

News Local/State

April 06, 2022

Illinois Public Media staff read proclamation of WILL-AM’s 100 years on-air

On April 6, 2022, the staff of Illinois Public Media staff read a proclamation to WILL’s 100th anniversary.

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Radio facilities at the University of Illinois, circa 1925. WILL, then known as WRM, broadcast from the university's electrical engineering laboratory during these early years. — Illinois Alumni Magazine

The 217 Today Podcast

April 06, 2022

217 Today: WILL celebrates 100th anniversary with a look back at its first broadcasts

In today's deep dive, we'll take a look back at the beginning of WILL for its 100th anniversary this week.

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The 21st Show

April 05, 2022

Jimmy Soni on PayPal’s history with U of I

Author Jimmy Soni joined The 21st to discuss the history of online payments, PayPal, and the company's connection to central Illinois.

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Peoria's Calvin Coolidge Middle School is one of the schools that will be renamed for groundbreaking figures in Peoria history. In this case, the school will be renamed for Harold B. Dawson. — Courtesy Peoria Public Schools

The 21st Show

April 05, 2022

Name changes come to Peoria schools

Last year, the Peoria Board of Education decided to rename a primary school to honor a Peoria-born civil rights leader, and earlier this month, the board voted to rename five more schools in the district. The 21st was joined by the board's president to discuss the change.

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Poet Langston Hughes, photographed by Gordon Parks in 1943. — Gordon Parks/U.S. Library of Congress

The 217 Today Podcast

April 05, 2022

217 Today: Listen to the voice of Langston Hughes recorded over 60 years ago

In today's deep dive, we look back at a visit to the University of Illinois by the Black poet Langston Hughes that WILL broadcast in the late 1950s.

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Edward Curtis IV is a professor of religious studies and the chair of Liberal Arts at IUPUI and author of the new book

The 21st Show

April 04, 2022

Muslim communities in the Midwest

Religious diversity in the Midwest is the subject of a new book by a professor of religious studies, who is a descendent of Syrian Midwesterners.

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The 21st Show

April 04, 2022

Healthcare for undocumented seniors

In 2020, Illinois lawmakers extended healthcare coverage to undocumented seniors aged 65 and older, making Illinois the first state in the nation to do so. But should it go further?

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The main studio of WRM Radio (soon to be renamed WILL) on the University of Illinois campus, circa 1927. A piano was a common feature in an era when most music on the radio was live. The spring microphones of the time were designed to prevent undesired vibrations or feedback. Draperies lined the walls to improve acoustics. — Illinois Public Media

The 217 Today Podcast

April 04, 2022

217 Today: WILL-AM celebrates 100th anniversary of first broadcast this week

In today's deep dive, we'll take a look back at the early days of WILL-AM as the station celebrates the 100th anniversary of its first broadcast this week.

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Unless Congress acts to increase COVID-related spending, COVID tests and treatments will no longer be guaranteed free for uninsured people. — Justin Hicks/Indiana Public Broadcasting

The 217 Today Podcast

April 01, 2022

217 Today: Health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore COVID-19 funding, experts warn

In today's deep dive, we'll learn why public health experts are warning that health inequities will worsen if Congress doesn’t restore funding to COVID-19 programs.

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