Illinois Public Media News

In light of the racial justice movements in Illinois, statues honoring Confederate figures like Jefferson Davis, are coming down around the South — either by protestors or local governments. Here in the Midwest, some student groups at the University of Wisconsin in Madison are also calling for the removal of an Abraham Lincoln statue.

Business Insider ranked the “30 best American cities to live in after the pandemic” based on nine economic, educational and demographic measures; number one on the list is Springfield, Illinois. The 21st speaks to an author, professor and an urbanologist to talk about the potential for a Downstate population boom later this year.

In 1995, Illinois and the Midwest were in the stifling grip of a heatwave that killed hundreds. The 21st speaks to an NYU sociologist about the government's response and the potential parallels between the heatwave of 1995 and COVID-19 pandemic 25 years later.

A report from the National Center for Farmworker Health found that more than 3,000 seasonal workers have tested positive for COVID-19. The 21st speaks to a health reporter for WILL’s Illinois Newsroom and Side Effects Public Media who's been following the story and two individuals from the Community Health Partnerships of Illinois organization.

Chicago-based astronomer Lucianne Walkowicz has filed a trademark lawsuit against toy-maker Mattel and American Girl, alleging that the company stole Walkowicz's likeness for their 2018 girl of the year doll, Luciana Vega.