Some doctors see access to birth control as a tool in the fight to decrease maternal and infant mortality. Indiana has one of the nation’s worst rates of new mothers and infants dying, and those rates are even worse for black women. But a history of abuse has led to distrust of health care professionals in communities of color. 

In Illinois, losing a baby before its first birthday happens far more often to black mothers than those of other races. The difference between whites and blacks is nearly three-fold.

On The 21st: We talk with Sen. Sam McCann about bringing broadband to rural areas. And, what does infant mortality look like across Illinois? Plus, Mick Dumke from ProPublica Illinois explains his investigation into a non-profit called 'Project Six' - and where its money comes from.