Illinois Public Media News

The Delta variant is spreading in Illinois and around the country. The 21st heard from a health reporter who has been covering the variant for Kaiser Health News. Plus, we also discussed in Illinois lawmakers are hoping a cash prize might incentivize more people to get the COVID vaccine.

Through fragmented notes left on scraps of paper, Lincoln aimed to document his best thoughts that could later come in handy when he needed to write a speech or lay down his arguments in debates. Over 100 of these notes have been archived and are considered the closest thing to a diary by author Ronald C. White. White joined The 21st to further discuss Lincoln's documented thoughts. 

An Illinois lawmaker wants to ban hair discrimination in schools. We’ll hear from a bill sponsor and the mother of a student who was ordered to take out his braids by at school.

Malcolm X is the subject of a new biography called The Dead Are Arising: The Life of Malcolm X. The 21st discusses the biography with co-author Tamara Payne about helping write the book and what young activists can learn from Malcolm X. 

Illinois Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) is openly gay and public about being HIV-positive. The 21st spoke to Harris about his life and career.