Illinois Public Media News

Face coverings, social distancing, and classroom capacity requirements will be mandatory in all Illinois schools as students and faculty return to school next month. There is room in the guidelines for districts to move forward with their own regulations making blended and remote learning available options for school, as well. The 21st speaks to the State Superintendent of Education to discuss what will happen to their children this fall.

The PBS short film festival is currently underway online. One film deals with young students undergoing an active shooter training. Another film is about a dragon boat racing team brought together by their experiences with breast cancer. Both filmmakers joined us on The 21st.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has been referenced — though not charged — in a federal corruption case involving electric utility ComEd. The 21st is joined by reporters following the story to break down the case and speak to what it could mean for one of the most powerful men in Illinois.

With the passing of two icons of the African American civil rights movement: Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian and Georgia Congressman John Lewis, The 21st examines the unequal conditions that Black people are still fighting against to this day like food insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent news, Bollywood stars Priyanka Chopra and Sonam Kapoor came under fire after speaking out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement when many South Asians called them out for perpetuating skin-tone based standards of beauty themselves for having skin-care lines of whitening products and starring in ads for lightening creams. The 21st is joined by experts on colorism to talk more about prejudice or discrimination due to the darkness of one's skin tone.