Illinois Public Media News

Early in the war between Russia and Ukraine, The 21st spoke with Ian Kelly who is currently ambassador in residence at Northwestern University. We touched back in with him to hear more about how the conflict has progressed and where we are now. 

We spoke to the sculptor of the state fair butter cow, Sarah Pratt to hear more about how it's made. 

Illinois-based Quaker Oats is ending its Aunt Jemima brand, saying it was based on a racial stereotype. Meanwhile, others are working to preserve the legacy of the real-life Chicago woman on whom the character was based.

Like all live performers, from actors to musicians, people who perform drag have had to adapt and change during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 21st was joined by two central Illinois drag performers to talk about different ways that drag artists have had to adjust to performing in the pandemic.

From school and work pressures to the distractions and anxiety that come with having access to social media and everything else on their phones, it can be hard to get sleep as a teenager. In a survey a few years back, 58% more teenagers were “severely sleep deprived” than in 1991.The 21st was joined by two psychotherapists who wrote a book on this sleepless generation and what can be done to help.