Illinois Public Media News

Graduates have been frustrated and confused by the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for years. Last month The Department of Education announced reforms that they hope will make it easier for public sector workers to have their loans forgiven. To talk about the program, The 21st was joined by directors from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Student Borrower Protection Center.

Last week, Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger came out with a video announcing he would not be seeking re-election. There’s been speculation about him possibly running for governor or the US Senate here in Illinois — both of which would be uphill climbs just to win the primary. We talked about what the future might hold for Kinzinger with former leading conservative radio host and current editor-at-large of "The Bulwark."

With the return to full in-person learning, this past September saw the newest cases and deaths for kids in the U.S. but a survey by Kaiser Family Foundation says barely one in three parents will permit their children to be vaccinated immediately. 

According to some, school punishment and suspension doesn’t work. Studies show that students who have been suspended are more likely to drop out, be arrested, and be incarcerated later in life.  And they say this cycle of violence has ripple effects for parents, educators, and communities. 

A handful of downstate communities in Illinois are considering Automated License Plate Recognition Programs. Opponents of these cameras say that they raise major concerns about privacy and surveillance and question how much they actually prevent crime. We were joined by a representative from the ACLU of Illinois and a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Labor and Employment Relations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.