Illinois Public Media News

To hear more about the power of poetry and African-American history, The 21st revisted a conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning poet-in-residence Tyehimba Jess at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Many scientists worry that the Earth is on a collision course with climate change and it will have irreversible, deadly consequences. The 21st revisits a conversation with author David Pogue on adapting to our changing climate, as well as increasing mitigation efforts.

Easter Sunday is this weekend. For many Black churches it is the biggest Sunday service of the year. Some Easter traditions go back culturally to Africa and the period of enslavement in America.

Are you having a hard time sleeping at night? Perhaps you're engaging in a phenomena called “revenge bedtime procrastination.” An expert told us how to get a better night's rest.

Flint, Michigan is known for its water crisis, but the tap water problem is a more pervasive issue than it may seem. In East Moline, one home was found with 3,000 parts per billion of lead in it’s tap water. Other communities where dangerous levels of lead in tap water have been found include Rockford, Joliet, University Park, and Elgin, Illinois.

Social distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses in March 2020 was especially difficult for those living with an intellectual disability.  A set routine is important to their development of vocational, personal skills and mental health. But the COVID-19 vaccine offers hope for the future.

The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening Illinois’ teacher shortage. One in three teachers polled in a recent survey say they’re considering leaving the profession. 

Subscribe to The 21st Newsletter to stay up to date with all things Illinois — including politics, science, public health, history and more. You’ll get a taste of our favorite conversations each week, and a chance to catch up on some of the shows you missed.

In the first half of 2020, gun retailers saw the greatest increase in sales to Black customers. The 21st spoke to the president of the 761st Gun Club about what it’s like being a Black gun owner in Illinois and preserving the rights of gun ownership.