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Emily Van Duyn is an assistant professor of communication at the University of Illinois and author of the book

Why do some keep their political beliefs hidden?

Many feel that in their slice of America, they are not free to say whatever they want about politics. Yet, while the blue-city Republican and the red-state Democrat might feel isolated, they are not alone. We were joined by a University of Illinois professor who studied one such group of political outliers to talk about what she found. 

The city of Rockford in northwestern Illinois had made great strides in its campaign against homelessness, but the pandemic slowed that progress.
Susan Stephens/WNIJ

The fight to end homelessness in Rockford

By 2020, Rockford was on the verge of ending homelessness entirely, but then, the pandemic hit, amplifying existing housing needs and economic pressures and causing the city to have to adapt and continue its fight. The 21st was joined by the city's mayor and housing advocates to talk about what Rockford has done and what other cities can do to combat homelessness.

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