Illinois Public Media

Feature Story

Historic image of The Avon Theatre in Decatur, Illinois

Haunted Illinois: The Avon Theatre

 In 1916, the Avon Theatre opened its doors in Decatur, Illinois. However, it faced it’s share of early setbacks. The tumultuous journey of the Avon is not just a tale of business ventures but a narrative intertwined with the evolution of cinema and, according to some, the enduring presence of its former owner.
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Classics of the Phonograph

Classics of the Phonograph: Christoph von Dohnanyi
We will hear a sampling of his recordings from Christoph von Dohnanyi on Classics of the Phonograph, Saturday at 11, on Illinois Classical 90.9. 
Atomic Age Cocktail Party
Atomic Age logo with illustration of black cat singing on top of a jack-o'-lantern. Text reads

Hi-Fi Halloween 2025 (147)
This week on The Atomic Age Cocktail Party, it’s a whole lot of musical treats with our annual Halloween special! Lots of great music for you cool ghouls including…
Prairie Performances

Prairie Performances: Something Wicked This Way Comes
On this special Halloween episode of Prairie Performances, “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” we set the scene for Halloween with an evening of chilling works to…
The 21st Show
a montage including a Black woman in a red dress peeking through a bead curtain with a look of shock on her face; and a white Victorian-style home

Owners of former funeral home talk about what it was really like being on HGTV’s ‘Scariest House in America’
On Halloween, we’ll talk with an Illinois couple who’ve made a former funeral home into their home. The house was among the competitors on the new season of…
The 21st Show
a silver CTA green line train on yellow elevated tracks with the Chicago skyline in the distance, including the Sears Tower

In late night push, Illinois lawmakers take on transit, energy, immigration enforcement and ‘medical aid in dying’
The Illinois General Assembly wrapped up a brief but highly productive fall legislative session in which they tackled the financial problems of mass transit…
The 21st Show
a montage including a police body-camera photo of a deputy wearing a brown uniform pointing a gun at a woman in a kitchen, a jail booking photo of Grayson with close-cropped hair, black glasses, andwearing a gray and white jail outfit; and a selfie of Massey smiling at the camera while wearing a black top

Former deputy Sean Grayson found guilty of murdering Sonya Massey inside her house near Springfield
On Wednesday, after more than 11 hours of deliberation, a Peoria jury found former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson guilty of second-degree murder in the…
Prairie Fire

Prairie Fire: Season 3 - Episode 2 - October 2025
This month, we’re fossil hunting deep in southern Illinois, visiting a small but mighty farm helping to combat food insecurity, and helping a historic local…
Mid-American Gardener

Early Fall at The Delight Flower Farm
We take a trip back to Delight to learn about dahlia care, and how to properly dig up those tender bulbs to avoid any damage for winter storage. We also get crafty with…
State of Change

The state of the Illinois Prairie
State of Change 2025 looks at efforts to retain existing prairie in Illinois, as well as strategies to restore some areas to a more natural state.