Illinois Public Media News

The effects of the global pandemic go beyond health: thousands upon thousands of Illinois are still out of work, and entire sectors have been unable to recover, like the entertainment, travel and convention industries.

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 to two top election officials from the state, and county levels to answer listeners questions about the process and how ballots are counted. 

Election season is here, and with COVID-19, more people than ever are expected to vote by mail. The 21st is joined by a state representative and the chairman of Vote Yes for Fairness to discuss the importance of being able to vote by mail.

Socrates, Rousseau, Thoreau and Nietzsche. You may have been one of those people who purposely avoided Philosophy 101 in high school or college, but in these extraordinary and challenging times we are facing, perhaps there is no better time to revisit history’s great thinkers than right now. The 21st was joined by a bestselling author to speak more about the difference between knowledge and wisdom, getting ideas on trains and how chapters of his book relate to the social unrest in the world.

Nearly one-third of Illinois counties are at “warning level” for the spread of COVID-19. The 21st checked in with local health department officials from across the state on what they’re seeing, why cases are spiking in some areas and not others and what they’re doing to help stem a global pandemic.