Illinois Public Media News

Researchers will gather in Champaign for the Sixth Annual LGBTQ Research Symposium—a two-day event filled with workshops and discussions related to studying LGBTQ issues. 

More than 260 girls and young women came forward to tell their stories of sexual assault by former USA Olympic doctor Larry Nassar, who is currently serving multiple prison sentences for the abuse. The trial resulted in more than a prison sentence and settlement money for victims. It shined a light on the mishandling of sexual assault reports by young athletes. And last week, Illinois took center stage in this national issue.

For years, Missouri's Bootheel region has only had one full time OB/GYN, despite having the worst birth outcomes in the state and one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country. Now, the hospital where that doctor practices is closing.

The Champaign County Drug Court is designed to help people with decades of substance abuse issues. This week, 14 people will celebrate a year of sobriety as they graduate from the voluntary program that’s been running for almost 20 years.

On this encore edition of The 21st: With more people in the U.S. in need of effective and affordable drug addiction treatment, what are the most important things you should know when looking for a provider? Plus, we talk to director Kelly Richmond Pope about her new film highlighting a famous embezzlement case in Dixon, Illinois. But first, religion scholar Marie Griffith joins us to talk about her new book- Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics.