Illinois Public Media News

Today on the 21st, we check in with reporters around the state for the latest on COVID-19 and protests over police violence from across the state, we have a conversation about pride and rebellion and we see what a year without corn dogs and state fairs looks like.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor J.B. Pritzker and other state leaders have cancelled the 2020 Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs. The 21st talked with a concession owner whose corn dogs have been a staple at state fairs for decades.

This month is Pride month but for a long time, a key force behind gay liberation has been written out of history. Today we remember the role Black transgender people played in the modern gay rights movement. 

To look at how COVID-19 and ongoing protests are affecting Illinois, The 21st speaks with reporters in DeKalb and Bloomington-Normal.

On today's 21st is Illinois really ready to enter phase 4 at the end of the month, how should we talk to younger generations about race and restaurant owners are finding out that third-party delivery services might be bad for business.

Many of us have turned to food delivery services in the COVID-19 pandemic. But two of the most popular services have faced harsh criticism recently. Two experts joined The 21st to talk about the ongoing struggles that drivers and clients of these companies face.

Dr. Cynthia Langtiw, professor of clinical psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, joins The 21st to talk about how to talk to children about race and modeling navigating uncomfortable situations as parents.  

A professor of mathematics at Illinois State University joins The 21st to speak about how this pandemic is different than other viruses from a mathematical perspective and offers a caution about the reopening of states.

On today's 21st, a conversation with State Senator Elgie Sims, we talk about how the Department of Corrections is handling COVID-19 and we gather some advice to the class of 2020 from around Illinois.

Sen. Elgie Sims speaks to The 21st about his thoughts on police reform and how he thinks the police force has been handling the ongoing protests.