WILL-AM

The 21st Show

The 21st has a conversation about the tension between free speech and so-called "cancel culture" with some of the prominent voices in the discussion that was kicked off by a letter published by Harper's Magazine. 

The 21st Show

Restaurants and retail have been hard hit — with thousands of businesses closing permanently around the state since March. The 21st checks in with small businesses to see how they've adapted in the pandemic. 

The 21st Show

This summer, many high school bands are already adapting, by making changes to their traditional summer band camps which start around this time. The 21st speaks to band directors and marching band students to shine a light on what changes are being made.

The 21st Show

The 21st speaks to two leaders of major teacher unions to discuss how they feel about the State Board of Education's plan to reopen schools this year.

The 21st Show

Face coverings, social distancing, and classroom capacity requirements will be mandatory in all Illinois schools as students and faculty return to school next month. There is room in the guidelines for districts to move forward with their own regulations making blended and remote learning available options for school, as well. The 21st speaks to the State Superintendent of Education to discuss what will happen to their children this fall.

The 21st Show

The PBS short film festival is currently underway online. One film deals with young students undergoing an active shooter training. Another film is about a dragon boat racing team brought together by their experiences with breast cancer. Both filmmakers joined us on The 21st.

The 21st Show

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been referenced — though not charged — in a federal corruption case involving electric utility ComEd. The 21st is joined by reporters following the story to break down the case and speak to what it could mean for one of the most powerful men in Illinois.

The 21st Show

With the passing of two icons of the African American civil rights movement: Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian and Georgia Congressman John Lewis, The 21st examines the unequal conditions that Black people are still fighting against to this day like food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 21st Show

In recent news, Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor came under fire after speaking out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement when many South Asians called them out for perpetuating skin-tone based standards of beauty themselves for having skin-care lines of whitening products and starring in ads for lightening creams. The 21st is joined by experts on colorism to talk more about prejudice or discrimination due to the darkness of one's skin tone. 

The 21st Show

Illinois announced new metrics, regions and tiers of mitigation for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. The 21st is joined by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch to get the latest on the changes.