Illinois Public Media News

Alex Kotlowitz has been writing about violence in Chicago for decades - in film, in print, and for This American Life. His latest book is called “An American Summer: Love And Death In Chicago,” and it follows people for whom gun violence has become a part of daily life. Plus, Oregon may have America’s last Blockbuster store, but there are still thriving video stores here in Illinois.

On today's 21st, we talk about how gun permit applications are up 500 percent this year, we have a conversation with teachers and nurses about starting the school year, and we talk about food insecurity during the pandemic.

COVID-19 has changed where we’re able to eat, what we eat, and even how we grow our food. The 21st speaks to an expert on the effect the pandemic has had on young people’s relationship with food. 

Illinois students will be going back to the classroom this fall, but like everything else during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s going to look a lot different. We talked wth an educator and nurses about preparing schools to welcome back millions of students.

The 21st explores the surge in gun permit applications and gun sales across Illinois. Plus, the latest on the recent shooting of a child in Chicago. 

On today's 21st, we talk about how politicians are connecting with people during the pandemic, explore if restaurants are re-opening too soon, get an update on the Sahara Dust Cloud and safe road trips around the midwest.

Summer is a time for road trips — but COVID-19 is limiting options. The 21st explores safe getaways in a time of a pandemic.

The 21st speaks with a meteorologist about the Saharan dust cloud that made its way to North America this week and whether it could, in a much-weakened form, make its way to Illinois.

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.