Illinois Public Media News

Bach to Black is a new project from a University of Illinois professor and pianist that pairs Johann Sebastian Bach's music with works written by Black composers. It's designed to bridge divides in the music community and increase diversity and inclusion in classical music. 

According to the latest report from AARP Illinois and SAGE, more than 60 percent of LGBTQ adults fear neglect, abuse or discrimination because of their identity when accessing long-term care. We spoke with older members of the LGBTQ community about where they’re finding support.

Fiona’s Guardians tells the story of Fiona, a 250-year old vampire who uses human guardians to procure her nightly requirement of 10 pints of human blood. The book is now also being turned into a podcast called “Mysterious Journey: Fiona’s Guardians” produced by Artists’ Ensemble Theater in Rockford. We were joined by the novel's author and the playwright who adapted the book into a podcast script.

As part of a 280 acre expansion of the Chicago Rockford International Airport, the prairie, which has gone undeveloped for thousands of years, could be bulldozed, despite concerns that only .01% of Illinois' natural prairie remains.

"Forever chemicals" have been found at dangerous levels in Illinois drinking water — posing potential long-term health risks for some communities. To hear more, The 21st spoke to Brett Chase, a reporter who covers the environment and public health for the Chicago Sun-Times.  This segment originally aired on August 9, 2021.

Leaked documents revealed how the world’s ultra-wealthy and well-connected avoid taxes, hide their wealth, and in some cases launder money. Reporting from one of our guests revealed that an oligarch hid his money in a small Illinois town through an elaborate real-estate scheme.

From the state’s COVID-19 response to expanding abortion rights to drawing new legislative maps for members of Congress — lawmakers have a full agenda during the fall veto session. The 21st was joined by two veteran Statehouse reporters.

John Deere workers are striking at all 14 of their manufacturing plants across the country, four of which are in Illinois — including their headquarters in Moline. This follows the trend of many labor strikes across the country. 

Joanne Lee Molinaro has been sharing her recipes and family stories since 2016, but the Illinois native and graduate of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign never expected her food, and her words, to mean so much to so many people. She joined The 21st to talk about her book "Korean Vegan," as well as the intersection of food and cultural identity.

Fall is in full swing in Illinois and depending on where you are in the state, we’re coming upon peak foliage season. However, there are warnings that climate change could delay and dull that signature fall color.