Illinois Public Media News

This summer, many high school bands are already adapting, by making changes to their traditional summer band camps which start around this time. The 21st speaks to band directors and marching band students to shine a light on what changes are being made.

The 21st speaks to two leaders of major teacher unions to discuss how they feel about the State Board of Education's plan to reopen schools this year.

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. 

Illinois announced new metrics, regions and tiers of mitigation for addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. The 21st is joined by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch to get the latest on the changes. 

The 21st speaks to the Illinois Department of Public Health Director about what prevented us from grasping the full extent of COVID-19 in early March. And the challenges ahead for getting it under control.

Among the many Confederate statues being taken down amidst the protests for racial justice, one controversial figure of Illinois whose plaque is being taken down is Stephen Douglas. The 21st spoke to a professor from Auburn University and a Ph.D. student from the University of Chicago about whether the removal of Douglas' plaque provided any kind of reparation.