Illinois Public Media News

Among the many Confederate statues being taken down amidst the protests for racial justice, one controversial figure of Illinois whose plaque is being taken down is Stephen Douglas. The 21st spoke to a professor from Auburn University and a Ph.D. student from the University of Chicago about whether the removal of Douglas' plaque provided any kind of reparation.

In light of the racial justice movements in Illinois, statues honoring Confederate figures like Jefferson Davis, are coming down around the South — either by protestors or local governments. Here in the Midwest, some student groups at the University of Wisconsin in Madison are also calling for the removal of an Abraham Lincoln statue.

Business Insider ranked the “30 best American cities to live in after the pandemic” based on nine economic, educational and demographic measures; number one on the list is Springfield, Illinois. The 21st speaks to an author, professor and an urbanologist to talk about the potential for a Downstate population boom later this year.

In 1995, Illinois and the Midwest were in the stifling grip of a heatwave that killed hundreds. The 21st speaks to an NYU sociologist about the government's response and the potential parallels between the heatwave of 1995 and COVID-19 pandemic 25 years later.

A report from the National Center for Farmworker Health found that more than 3,000 seasonal workers have tested positive for COVID-19. The 21st speaks to a health reporter for WILL’s Illinois Newsroom and Side Effects Public Media who's been following the story and two individuals from the Community Health Partnerships of Illinois organization.

Chicago-based astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz has filed a trademark lawsuit against toy-maker Mattel and American Girl, alleging that the company stole Walkowicz's likeness for their 2018 girl of the year doll, Luciana Vega.

Illinois had to face the coronavirus pandemic early, and months of restrictions curbed the spread of the disease. But now that businesses have largely reopened, cases are creeping back up.

Many industries are taking a hit due to the coronavirus, this is especially true for the airline companies. The 21st speaks to the President and Directing General Chair of IAM District 141, the union representing machinists and aerospace workers at nearly a dozen airlines.

Big Hat Rodeo, a company based in the northern Illinois town of Harvard, would have been celebrating its 100-year-anniversary putting on rodeos in and around the midwest this year. The 21st speaks to members of the rodeo community to talk about the atmosphere of a rodeo and why it is so compelling and meaningful to many parts of Illinois.