Illinois Public Media News

The 21st speaks to reporters across the state about the ongoing pandemic as well as the recent policy position from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. 

Alex Kotlowitz has been writing about violence in Chicago for decades - in film, in print, and for This American Life. His latest book is called “An American Summer: Love And Death In Chicago,” and it follows people for whom gun violence has become a part of daily life. Plus, Oregon may have America’s last Blockbuster store, but there are still thriving video stores here in Illinois.

On today's 21st, we talk about how gun permit applications are up 500 percent this year, we have a conversation with teachers and nurses about starting the school year, and we talk about food insecurity during the pandemic.

COVID-19 has changed where we’re able to eat, what we eat, and even how we grow our food. The 21st speaks to an expert on the effect the pandemic has had on young people’s relationship with food. 

Illinois students will be going back to the classroom this fall, but like everything else during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s going to look a lot different. We talked wth an educator and nurses about preparing schools to welcome back millions of students.