WILL-AM

The 21st Show

Spaces for LGBTQ+ people are disappearing, with nearly 40 percent of gay bars closing around the U.S. in recent decades — including many here in Illinois. This pride month, The 21st spoke with guests about what is lost and where younger generations are finding support and community.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, increasingly, farmers don’t own the land they work. That’s particularly true in the country’s breadbasket and can have environmental consequences.

The 21st Show

When it comes to criminal justice, there have been many attempts at “reform” in recent years. Now some are saying the system is beyond repair, and instead should be abolished. We talked with a former jail warden who encourages abolition and the head of the Illinois Justice Project, who wants a different outcome.

The 21st Show

Amidst a summer filled with rising cases of COVID-19 and political unrest, networks across Illinois sprung up to provide resources and services for those in need of them. This voluntary act of solidarity within communities has been coined as “mutual aid,” and the concept has long existed before the pandemic.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, when colleges like the University of Illinois switched to online-only learning last year, many people expected the end for many marginalized students. But a new study is painting a different picture.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, Governor JB Pritzker spoke with Illinois Public Radio government and politics editor Hannah Meisel about where negotiations stand on a massive energy bill before lawmakers go back to Springfield for a vote on a final deal.

The 21st Show

Welcome to The 21st at the Capitol, where we take our weekday show from radio to television to talk about what Illinois lawmakers are doing and how it might affect you. This week, host Brian Mackey is interviewing two proponents of criminal justice reform. Join us at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 5.

The 21st Show

The 21st host Brian Mackey visited the Illinois State Museum to see a new, temporary art exhibit meant to celebrate Black lives through art.

The 21st Show

Illinois is on the verge of removing all capacity restrictions and opening up fully as half of Illinoisans are fully vaccinated and cases have decreased, but parents are still navigating what to do when it comes to the safety of their children. The 21st spoke to a pediatrician and a school nurse about how families can enjoy the summer safely.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today's deep dive, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police last year, many school leaders vowed to better reflect and serve their students. One year later, we look at what's changed in education.