On The 21st: What is the experience of being a homeless youth in Illinois? We talked with one formerly homeless youth and those trained to help. Also, Sen. Durbin and others say the Cahokia Mounds should be named a National Monument. And NPR's Kelly McEvers talked about her new podcast.

Cities in Illinois and across the country have laws regulating panhandling. But courts are tossing them out, and Springfield’s ordinance could be next. How can local governments balance First Amendment rights and maintaining public order? 

The state budget impasse could put more young people out on the streets this winter.  

In contrast to homelessness in urban areas, rural homelessness is less visible, and its victims face unique challenges due to a sparse population that results in fewer available services.

An estimated 13,054 Chicago families experienced homelessness during the 2014-15 school year, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless,