Illinois Public Media News

The 21st speaks to a community health expert on whether Illinois is reopening too widely, too soon. 

Shaking hands, kissing babies, meeting large groups of people — all the ways politicians usually try to connect with voters are not possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find out how candidates are trying to campaign for the upcoming November election.

On today's 21st, reporters from around the state give us an update on Phase 4 and the history of slavery in Illinois.

There is a lot more nuance to Illinois’ history with slavery than we may have learned in school, and there were enslaved people living in Illinois before and during the Civil War. Our guests on the show today shine a light on the historical realities of Illinois’ history with slavery that many did not learn about in social studies classes growing up. 

Reporters across the state join us to talk about the business landscape as Illinois enters the fourth phase of reopening the state. 

On today's 21st, we talk to to lawyers who secured the release of a potentially innocent man from prison, have a conversation about the Aunt Jemima brand and protecting the monarch butterfly.

Some Illinois farmers are changing their practices in an effort to protect our state insect: the monarch butterfly. The 21st explores the role pollinators play in our food systems and conservation efforts to support pollinator populations. 

Illinois-based Quaker Oats is ending its Aunt Jemima brand, saying it was based on a racial stereotype. Meanwhile, others are working to preserve the legacy of the real-life Chicago woman on whom the character was based.

The Illinois Innocence Project has secured the release of a man who spent 13 years in prison for murdering his own son, a crime he says he did not commit. The 21st speaks to the legal experts who worked on his case. 

On today's 21st we talk to county public health officials about what you can and should do in Phase 4, we get the concerns of students returning to campus this fall and even though most of the summer concerts have been canceled or postponed we check in on summer music.