WILL-AM

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, ethanol producers feared what mass quarantines would do to their bottom lines. About half of U.S. plants shuttered their doors. Most plants have reopened, but some are questioning if the industry should go back to business as usual.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, as the fall semester comes to a closeon the University of Illinois Urbana campus, we’ll find out what lessons officials have learned reopening the campus during a pandemic.

The 21st Show

Author Henry James Garrett says we need more kindness in our lives — and not just little acts of kindness, but a deeper, moral kindness, rooted in empathy. He talks about his book, This Book Will Make You Kinder.

The 21st Show

In light of recent developments in the federal investigation into the electric utility company ComEd, federal prosecutors are charging former executives and lobbyists for the company with conspiring to influence a state of Illinois official. The 21st was joined by a politics reporter from WBEZ who has been following the story to give listeners a brief update of the recent charges.

The 21st Show

Since the pandemic the IDES says its processed almost 3 million new claims for jobless benefits. This has presented a number of significant challenges to the system. The department's director joined us to answer your questions.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, Carle’s five central Illinois hospitals are seeing a rise in COVID-19 patients in recent weeks. Carle recently launched a program aimed at freeing up hospital beds --by providing virtual monitoring to COVID-positive patients safely at home.

The 21st Show

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Justin Johnson, director of bands at Niles West High School in Skokie is the 2021 Illinois Teacher of the Year. Johnson told us what influenced him to choose teaching as a career, the challenges of teaching music during a pandemic and his proudest moment as an educator.

The 21st Show

With COVID-19 surging across Illinois, in-person dating is considered high risk in 2020, but hearts will find a way. The 21st spoke to two experts on relationships on how dating has changed because of the pandemic and how people can still find love.

The 21st Show

Thanksgiving is approaching, but with cases of COVID-19 surging across the Midwest traveling to see loved ones could be a big risk. The 21st hears from two experts on how to stay safe and what steps we can take if traveling is essential.

The 217 Today Podcast

In today’s deep dive, the continued stress from COVID-19 has heightened mental health problems nationwide. Some experts say that has led to an increase in drug overdoses.