The 217 Today Podcast

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Keep up with news in Central Illinois every weekday with 217 Today. Hear the day's headlines, along with one deeper dive, in just ten minutes. Learn about the people and places that make Central Illinois unique with 217 Today.


    • Feb 27, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 844 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 217 Today Podcast

    217 Today: The 21st Show sought interviews with all 16 candidates for U.S. senator from Illinois. Listen to them here

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2026


    There's a crowded field of candidates running for Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat this year. Immigration enforcement has been a top issue in the race. We'll hear from Democrats and Republicans vying to succeed outgoing U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 26 – Mar. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026


    The Hip Hop Convene, Romeo and Juliet, featuring IPM's very own Morning Edition host, A Night at the Art Museum, A Black History Gala and of course...live music.

    217 Today: Immigrants in McLean County seeking legal pathway face ‘a different kind of fear’

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026


    Immigrants with asylum cases are missing their court hearings in higher numbers - and that's leading to MORE deportation orders.

    217 Today: Rev. Jesse Jackson looks back at some of his famous speeches

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2026


    We'll hear archival audio of Reverend Jesse Jackson looking back at some of his famous speeches.

    217 Today: Illinois schools counted on federal grants to ease a shortage of school psychologists. After cancellation and a year of court battles, the future's uncertain.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2026


    Schools in Illinois were expecting to receive millions of dollars to hire more mental health professionals before the Trump administration cancelled those grants. We'll take a look at how that's impacting schools in the northern part of the state.

    217 Today:  It’s eagle nesting season in Illinois. One nesting pair calls a northern Illinois state park home

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2026


    During the winter, Illinois is home to the largest population of eagles in the continental U.S. But the national bird didn't always have such a large presence in the state. 

    217 Today:  What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 19 – Feb. 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2026


    A celebration of queer art, a meet and greet with local authors, an interactive world full of dinosaurs and, of course, live music.

    217 Today: Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026


    Illinois residents soon have a big choice to make: who should represent them in the U.S. Senate for the next six years?

    217 Today: Farmers may lose a USDA program that helps them adapt to climate change

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026


    The federal government created regional climate hubs more than a decade ago, to help producers adapt to climate change. But now funding for the climate hubs is uncertain.

    217 Today: Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2026


    Four Republican candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to challenge two-term Governor JB Pritzker in November.

    217 Today: Visa delays, rising costs, tightening restrictions and fear are keeping international artists from visiting the Midwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2026


     Under the Trump administration, rising visa costs and fears at ports of entry are keeping more international artists and musicians away from the Midwest.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Feb. 12 – Feb. 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026


    A screening of a French musical film, a tribute performance by a Chicago saxophonist, a musical dinner with a buffet of songs, and of course, live music.

    217 Today: Meet some of the candidates from Illinois' second congressional district

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2026


     Illinois' 2nd congressional district runs from the south side of Chicago to Champaign and Vermilion counties. Meet some the candidates, including one from a well-known political family.

    217 Today: ‘BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions' film creators discuss crafting a visual album to showcase a Black perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2026


    BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions" shows at the Colwell Playhouse this Wednesday, February 11, at 5:00 P.M, followed by a Q & A with Joseph Hunt and other production team members.

    217 Today: Economics and energy take center stage in this year's 13th congressional district campaigns

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2026


    Nikki Budzinski is seeking a third term representing central Illinois in Congress. But she has several Democratic and Republican challengers. 

    217 Today:  A conversation with Sanford Hess, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2026


    A conversation with Sanford Hess, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    217 Today:  A conversation with Michelle Jett, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2026


    A conversation with Michelle Jett, who's running for the Democratic ticket for Champaign County Executive.

    217 Today: A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It’s a worsening issue for farmers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2026


    In today's deep dive, an allergy to red meat spread by tick bites affects nearly half a million Americans.

    217 Today: Illinois Soul celebrates two years of amplifying Black voices

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2026


    A celebration of Illinois Soul's second year on air.

    217 Today: Maysa brings her dulcet voice to Champaign-Urbana to help Illinois Soul celebrate its anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2026


     In today's deep dive, Maysa brings her dulcet voice to Champaign-Urbana to help Illinois Soul celebrate its anniversary.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026


    In today's deep dive, What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 29 – Feb. 1

    217 Today: A look at the first debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state's next U.S. senator

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a look at the first face-to-face debate between the three Illinois Democrats vying to become the state's next U.S. senator that happened earlier this week.

    217 Today: Cow cuddles and farm-churned ice cream are helping Midwest dairies thrive despite low milk prices

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2026


    In today's deep dive, dairy farms are opening new side businesses, such as cow cuddling and ice cream churning. But those opportunities of joy come amid a volatile milk market.

    217 Today: The nation's wheat belt has been wavering, but hybrid science may help bring it back

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2026


    In today's deep dive, wheat isn't grown as much as it used to be across the Great Plains. We'll hear about an effort to hybridize wheat.

    217 Today: Illinois Public Media is helping launch a new teen video podcast. Here's how to sign up.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Illinois Public Media is launching a new video podcast with local teens talking about issues that matter to them, and we want your child to be involved. 

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Jan. 22 – Jan. 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2026


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: Here are the books Illinois students loved the most in 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2026


    In today's deep dive, every year, Illinois students vote on the Readers' Choice Awards for the books they loved the most. 

    217 Today: One man’s journey from living in poverty in Southern Illinois to prison to a PhD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2026


    In today's deep dive, one man is the first to make the leap from a University of Illinois college-in-prison program to a U of I degree.

    217 Today: New exhibit showcases Illinois’ role in Underground Railroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a new exhibit at the Urbana Free Library highlights Illinois' involvement in the Underground Railroad.

    217 Today: Local film competition challenges participants to make a movie in 48 hours

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Champaign Movie Makers is hosting their annual 48 Hour Film Competition this weekend, where participants have just two days to make a movie.

    217 Today: Judge grants temporary restraining order to block the Trump Administration’s freeze on federal funding

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2026


    In today's deep dive, Illinois and four other Democratic-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to block a freeze on federal funding for childcare and family services. A judge has granted a temporary restraining order blocking immediate implementation of the freeze.

    217 Today: A conversation with the president of the University of Illinois System about why he is stepping down next year

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2026


    In today's deep dive, the president of the University of Illinois System is stepping down once his contract expires next year. We'll bring you a conversation with Tim Killeen about why he's leaving and his plans for the future.

    217 Today: What made 2025 a hard time to be a farmer and what’s ahead for some farmers in the central US

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026


    In today's deep dive, some farmers ended 2025 unsure how they'll pay their bills. We'll hear from farmers around the central US about what made 2025 such a tough year and what's ahead.

    217 Today: WILL Call: What's Happening in Champaign – Urbana Jan. 8 – Jan. 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: Five candidates seeking to represent central Illinois in Congress, including incumbent Nikki Budzinski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2026


    In today's deep dive, five candidates are seeking to represent central Illinois in Congress, including incumbent Nikki Budzinski.

    217 Today: How a preservation project is saving wetlands in the Midwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2026


    In today's deep dive, a wetland preservation project continues, despite the shrinking number of wetlands in the Midwest.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 25 – Dec. 28

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: From ‘Grinchmas’ to chestnut roasts, these rural towns make the holidays central to their economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025


    In today's deep dive, some rural towns are known for their holiday festivities. Tourist dollars are a big part of their local economy but getting people to town each year means new events.

    217 Today: Ag sector alarm bells are going off

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2025


    In today's deep dive, will a new aid package for farmers go far enough? In a year when tariffs have affected sales of Illinois soybeans, there are major warning signs.

    217 Today: More than a holiday tradition, reindeer are a way of life at the Hardy ranch in Rantoul

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2025


    In today's deep dive, what's the best part of meeting reindeer in real life? According to 10-year-old Bear Taylor — the reindeer kisses.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 18 – Dec. 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2025


    In today's deep dive, we'll learn about what is coming to the Central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture and entertainment.

    217 Today: New Illinois Farm Bureau president wants to restore communication and credibility for the venerable organization

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Illinois Farm Bureau is ushering in a  new leadership, we’ll  hear more from Philip Nelson who won the election.

    217 Today: With a federal tax credit ending early, installing home solar is about to get more expensive

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, a federal incentive for homeowner solar is rapidly expiring. Congress voted this summer to eliminate the tax credit at the end of this year. But people in the solar industry remain optimistic.

    217 Today: Declining attendance & rising maintenance costs bring an end to a historic church building in Champaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, as church attendance declines in the U.S., some congregations are finding it difficult to maintain their historic buildings.

    217 Today: Advocates for Aging Care pushes for solutions as Champaign County faces skilled nursing bed shortage

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Champaign County has one of the worst skilled nursing care shortages in the state. It means sometimes, people have to drive hours to see their loved ones.

    217 Today: What's Happening in Central Illinois Dec. 11 – Dec. 14

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, we’ll hear what’s coming to the central Illinois area in the world of arts, culture, and entertainment.

    217 Today: Improved natural gas storage fields will save customers money, Ameren Illinois says

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, Cold temperatures have already hit the St. Louis region. With that will come increased use of natural gas to heat homes. Ameren Illinois says changes to their local gas storage fields will help save customers money.

    217 Today: Cottonseeds are loaded with protein. Could these seeds become a new food source?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2025


    In today's deep dive, cottonseeds could help reduce hunger and add new revenue for farmers. One researcher has been working for decades to make edible seeds a reality.  

    217 Today: Champaign's only low-barrier shelter is at risk of closing. Some guests are worried

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the only low-barrier shelter in Champaign-Urbana is at risk of closing. Some guests worry they’ll end up on the streets.

    217 Today: Transgender people are looking for safer places to live. Some have found a home in central Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2025


    In today’s deep dive,  the political climate in some states has encouraged hostility towards trans people. It's causing some to leave in search of more affirming communities.

    217 Today: Crisis Nursery offers holiday shopping for kids

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2025


    In today’s deep dive, the Crisis Nursery in Urbana is hosting its annual holiday shop this weekend. We’ll hear about how the children can shop for their loved ones.

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