In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road, our in-depth series, “Route 66 in Illinois”, explores the places, stories, and history connected to the iconic highway.

We continue our Route 66 journey heading southwest to the city of Joliet. Operating from 1858 through 2002, the Old Joliet Prison is now a tourist site. A local history expert takes the 21st Show through the prison highlighting its history and significance to the city.

Route 66, America’s most famous highway is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is bound up in more than 300 miles of its stories. To kick off our week-long series and begin our statewide journey, the 21st Show traveled to the start of Route 66, in the heart of downtown Chicago.

April 6, 2022 marks a century of broadcasting at Illinois Public Media. We looked back at the early years and WILL-AM's state and national impact on public media.

On April 6, 2022, the staff of Illinois Public Media staff read a proclamation to WILL’s 100th anniversary.