WILL-AM

The 21st Show

May 06, 2020

Why The Term ‘Tornado Alley’ May Do More Harm Than Good

When we think of tornadoes in the U.S., images of the Southern Plains, or maybe Oklahoma as depicted in the 1996 action-thriller “Twister” come to mind.  But Illinois was home to two of the worst tornadoes in U.S. history. We spoke with meteorologist Victor Gensini about predicting tornadoes, whether they're becoming more frequent in illinois, and why 'Tornado Alley' might be an unhelpful term when it comes to keeping the public safe. 

The 21st Show

May 06, 2020

Outbreak Of COVID-19 Cases At Rantoul Meat Processing Plant

Despite the thousands of COVID-19 cases tied to meat processing plants nationally, President Trump has ordered them to remain open. Today, one of the largest meat processing plants in central Illinois is reporting more than 45 confirmed cases of the disease.

The 21st Show

May 06, 2020

Interview: Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin joins The 21st to talk about his call for the General Assembly to reconvene in Springfield, Republican priorities for what remains of session, and divisions within his party about when and how to ease restrictions during the pandemic.

The 21st Show

May 06, 2020

The 21st—Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Today on The 21st, an interview with House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at a central Illinois meat processing plant, and the frequency and severity of tornadoes is expected to grow in Illinois.

The 21st Show

May 05, 2020

Summer Camps Adapting Amidst Uncertainty Around COVID-19

Uncertainty about the stay at home order and what our new normal might look like has left summer plans up in the air. Today we hear what that might mean for the tradition of summer camp. 

The 21st Show

May 05, 2020

Filling News Information Gaps About COVID-19

Black and Brown communities have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in Illinois. We’ll talk about the disconnect between the news media, government officials and communities of color. 

The 21st Show

May 05, 2020

Documenting the COVID-19 Outbreak at the Cook County Jail

Cook County Jail is home to one of America's largest COVID-19 outbreaks, afflicting guards, nurses and detainees. We speak with Shannon Heffernan, a reporter on WBEZ's criminal justice desk who's been documenting the crisis.

The 21st Show

May 05, 2020

The 21st—Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Today on The 21st: we hear about the COVID-19 outbreak at the Cook County Jail — one of the largest in America; talk to a reporter about the disconnect between young communities of color, government officials and the news media; and hear what summer camps are planning for kids amid the uncertainty of the pandemic.

The 21st Show

May 04, 2020

New FX Series ‘Mrs. America’ Puts Illinois’ Phyllis Schlafly Front and Center

It’s been decades since conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly helped defeat the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois. Now she’s the subject of a new TV series from FX. We explore what’s fact and fiction with two Illinois reporters. 

The 21st Show

May 04, 2020

Perspectives: Is It Time to Ease COVID-19 Closures?

For two perspectives on COVID-19 and the stay-at-home orders, we speak with a struggling business owner and a county health department official.