Illinois Public Media News

In the late 1990s, a photographer named Chris Strong stood in front of a house on the sidewalk of West High Street in Urbana, Illinois and snapped a peculiar photograph of a white-framed house. The 21st talked with three guests to learn more about the house and the significance it holds to certain alternative music fans around the world.

While loneliness is a more intangible health issue, its effects are major. The 21st speaks to mental health experts to discuss how lonliness has gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can deal with its effects.

Peoria County is one of a handful around Illinois that are on “warning level” for coronavirus disease. Meanwhile, in Washington, members of Congress are debating whether to pass another COVID-19 economic relief package. The 21st checks in with US Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) to talk about the relief bill and rising cases in the 18th congressional district.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will have a massive saliva testing program for COVID-19 in place when students return this fall. But some say it will not be enough to stem a rise in infections.

Last spring, students left campus early to stop the spread of the coronavirus and the semester was cut short. This fall, universities across Illinois are preparing to implement face-to-face classes - to an extent. The 21st spoke with a student and faculty from the Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign about the risks and benefits of in-person classes.