Illinois Public Media News

Winter is coming, and with it comes a greater risk for COVID-19. The disease is already spreading out of control in Illinois with case numbers and hospitalizations at their worst rate in months. We talk to two experts about what’s going on and answer listener questions.

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was among those asking questions of Judge Amy Coney Barrett at her Supreme Court confirmation hearings this week. Before Thursday's hearings, we talked with him about her nomination.

While our live broadcast is preempted by the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from recent weeks. Apple picking, pumpkin patches, fall foliage: these are just some of the things that make Autumn in the Midwest so magical.  We’ll talk to a travel writer who is full of ideas for your next great autumn adventure, and how you can travel safely and responsibly while doing it.

While our live broadcast is preempted by the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from recent weeks. A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that only about 1 in 4 Hispanics in the United States have heard of the word "Latinx," and just 3% use it to describe themselves. Today, we’ll talk about the origins and usage of the terms Hispanic, Latino and Latinx.

While our live broadcast is preempted by the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from recent weeks. Thousands of Illinois Facebook users are now eligible for payments up to $400 as a result of a lawsuit filed against Facebook. The 21st explored who eligible to collect payment.

While our live broadcast is preempted by the confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations from recent weeks. Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, another global health crisis is approaching — flu season. We spoke with a virologist and a pediatrician about the science and how to stay healthy.

President Trump continues to cast doubt on voting by mail this election season, but it’s something both Democrats and Republicans have embraced in Illinois. The 21st speaks with two election officials to answer listeners questions about the process and how ballots are counted.

Groups are targeting a handful of judges for defeat in this year's retention elections. We talk to a pair of reporters about some of the more notable campaigns — and the motives of the people behind them.

We’ll discuss how a damaging hoax published by newspapers almost brought down the Union during the Civil War, and how hoaxes persist today with the author of the new book.