Illinois Public Media News

The pandemic has halted and changed our many ways of living across our state and the world. Despite these drastic changes to our lifestyles and traveling opportunities, there is one issue that has not gone away during this pandemic – and that is human trafficking. It happens right here in Illinois and to learn more about how the pandemic plays a role in it, The 21st was joined by two experts and a survivor.

Winter in the midwest can be cold, dark and a little depressing — especially during a global pandemic. The 21st spoke to a UK-based author who has written a book on how to embrace “Wintering.” 

Over the course of the final six months of Donald Trump's presidential term, the administration carried out more than 13 executions.That's more than the federal government executed in the previous half-century combined. Reporter Michael Tarm witnessed 10 of those executions for The Associated Press, and his observations are at odds with what federal officials noted in their reports.

To look back in time and explore what prehistoric Illinois may have looked like, what creatures roamed these lands and why you likely won’t be finding any dinosaur fossils here, The 21st was joined by senior paleontologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey and a vertebrate paleontologist and associate curator of Fossil Reptiles at the Field Museum in Chicago.

As the virus has spread around the world in the last 12 months, it’s also mutated. The 21st was joined by two experts to help us answer some questions about what we know about these new variants and what we still have to learn.

As we observe Black History Month, there are many heroes that get recognized for their enduring contributions to society. An unsung hero of Black history is Nance Legins-Costley: an Illinois woman who is often referred to as the first slave that Abraham Lincoln freed, but whose story goes far beyond that narrative. To talk about the life and legacy of Nance Legins-Costley are the former president of the Abraham Lincoln Association and a Lincoln scholar. 

Millions of children across the U.S. are struggling with serious emotional or behavioral health conditions. With the pandemic blocking access to the treatments they depend on, some have spiraled — ending up in emergency rooms or police custody. The 21st spoke with reporters and an advocate who have been following this story.

The national profile of Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL16) has risen since the Capitol insurrection and his vote to impeach fellow Republican former President Donald Trump. Kinzinger's political future is the topic of a recent profile by The New York Times. 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivered his annual State of the State and Budget address on February 17, 2021. The 21st was joined by Illinois Comptroller, Susana Mendoza (D) to talk about the financial struggles the state faces.

Governor J.B. Pritzker scheduled his annual State of the State and Budget address on Februrary 17, 2021. We previewed some of the issues that the governor will discuss.