Illinois Public Media News

Although changing people’s thoughts while they are dreaming is still science-fiction, being able to communicate with them while dreaming appears to be possible after all. 

Many counties in Southern Illinois are facing challenges getting access to fresh and affordable food. This problem was here before the pandemic and now it has been heightened even more by COVID-19. 

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is now chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He joined The 21st to discuss a busy week in Washington, including his questions about the January 6 siege on the US Capitol.

The 21st spoke with author and Illinoisian Luvvie Ajayi Jones, on her new book: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual about how fear holds us back, and how we can overcome it.

President Joe Biden says the U.S. expects to take delivery of enough coronavirus vaccine for all adults by the end of May. Despite the stepped-up pace of vaccine production, the work of inoculating Americans could extend well into the summer. We looked into vaccine distribution here in Illinois.

Carp are considered an invasive species in Illinois because they compete with native species and can destroy habitats. Scientists are working to keep these carp out of the Great Lakes. To tell us more about the new acoustic deterrent system, The 21st was joined by a USGS Scientist and the lead of the Bioacoustics team with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Since the start of the pandemic, attacks against Asian Americans have been on the rise nationally and here in Illinois. The 21st spoke with a researcher and an anti-hate training coordinator about these hateful incidents.

Many people rely on free, in-person filing help to get the most out of their federal return. In a pandemic though, many people could miss out on help when they need it most. The 21st was joined by two Illinois accountants and answer some listener questions.

The electrical grid and energy system in Texas were not ready for the polar vortex and climate change means extreme weather events are going to become more common. What about here in Illinois and the Midwest — how resilient is our power supply? 

Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents the northwest suburbs of Chicago, joined The 21st to talk about the next round of COVID relief being considered this week in the U.S. House, including $1,400 stimulus checks, an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits, and aid for state and local governments; plus increasing attacks on Americans of Asian descent, and problems at the U.S. Postal Service.