The 21st Show

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The 21st is Illinois's statewide news talk show. Produced by Illinois Public Media and airing on six NPR member stations in across Illinois.

Illinois Public Media - WILL


    • Jul 17, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 1,133 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The 21st Show

    How does ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ impact energy sector?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025


    The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes significant changes to the way we create and pay for energy.

    Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski on what ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ means for Illinoisans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025


    Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski shares her views on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and how it will impact her constituents.

    Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun on cultural significance of the chain and revamping strategies after facing bankruptcy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2025


    Red Lobster's CEO Damola Adamolekun talks about his personal life experiences, what made the restaurant chain so iconic, and how it plans to make a comeback amid closings nationwide. 

    Sociologist's new book encourages more questioning of ourselves and less judgement of others

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025


    Nowadays social issues and politics can be very polarizing. Many tend to view those who disagree with them as hateful or ignorant with lots of assumptions. Sociologist Ilana Redstone takes a deep look into this with her book: “The Certainty Trap: Why We Need to Question Ourselves More— and How We Can Judge Others Less.”

    Climate of Misinformation: How did weather get politicized?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2025


    A research scientist who has studied what makes people susceptible to misinformation around climate change, a journalist covering climate politics, and a climate scientist weigh in on the conspiracy theories surrounding weather. 

    The 21st Show goes ‘up, up and away’ at 2025 Balloons over Vermilion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025


    On the Friday, July 11, 2025 edition of The 21st Show, we took our program on the road to Vermilion County, which sits on the Illinois/Indiana border. The weather broke just in time for host Brian Mackey to be aboard a hot air balloon.

    The 21st Show in Vermilion County: Why are young people leaving small towns in Illinois?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2025


    Author explains how so many white evangelical Christians came to embrace Donald Trump

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2025


    A new book looks into the intersection of religion and American politics and how so many white evangelical Christians came to embrace Donald Trump.

    What is the human cost of Medicaid and SNAP cuts?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025


    The newly enacted Big Beautiful Bill Act will require states to cover some or all of the costs of providing SNAP benefits and Medicaid, tighten work requirements and essentially reshape who qualifies for help and for how long. So what does this all mean for Illinoisans who are at risk for losing critical support?  

    How will RFK Jr.‘s new vaccine policies impact Illinoisans?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025


    U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is changing the country's vaccine policies- from childhood vaccinations to COVID immunizations. Many experts are raising concerns about what that could mean for public health.

    Writer introduces Americans to ‘The Italian Soul’ in new book

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2025


    A new book offers lessons from a culture that’s mastered the art of savoring simple pleasures while maintaining deep connections in family and community.

    One year after Sonya Massey was killed by deputy, is police reform taking shape in Springfield?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025


    It’s been one year since a Sangamon County sheriff's deputy shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home just outside Springfield. The killing sparked protests locally and became national news anmd many called for better police accountability. So what’s changed since then, what hasn’t, and where do we go from here?

    What’s next after Trump signs ‘Big Beautiful Bill’?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025


    Over an extended Independence Day weekend, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law. The legislation has many components — making his 2017 tax cuts permanent while also aiming to cut federal spending on Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

    Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2025


    Like every Democrat, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi voted against the "Big Beautiful Bill" Act and he joins the program to explain why.

    How does global warming affect our brains?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2025


    Climate change not only impacts our environment, but it also influences our brains, according to the author of "The Weight of Nature".

    Illinois farmers and food banks face many challenges amid cuts to federal food programs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025


    Agriculture is a key part of the Illinois economy, but recent changes to federal food funding are putting pressure on some farmers and the communities that rely on their products.

    How does Nippon acquisition of U.S. Steel impact Illinois steel workers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2025


    Japanese company Nippon Steel accquired U.S. Steel last month. What does this mean for over 900 steel workers in Granite City, Illinois? 

    Philosopher’s new book provides interesting nuance in abortion rights and religion discussion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2025


    The issue of abortion is often framed in religious terms usually by people who oppose the procedure. However, Illinois philosopher Peter Wenz says there are religious arguments in favor of abortion. His new book is called “Abortion Rights as the Free Exercise of Religion: The Constitutional Case for Choice". Wenz joins the program today.

    Investigation looks into the recurring problem of sewer overflows in southern Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025


    A few dozen southern Illinois communities have faced a substantial portion of the state's reported sewer overflows. This is the subject of a new investigation from the Illinois Answers Project.The reporter behind the story joins the program today.

    A deeper look into John Deere lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2025


    A journalist covering agriculture weighs in on what has transpired so far after the Federal Trade Commission as well as several states, including Illinois, sued farming equipment manufacturer John Deere earlier this year. We also talk about what to expect from the upcoming trial. 

    Forgottonia Project highlights the people, history, and issues of rural Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025


    The Forgottonia Project was a podcast created by a social studies teacher and the incoming Dean of Students at Spoon River Valley High School in Fulton County. The goal is to teach students living in the western part of Illinois and other rural areas about the history of where they live and also to hear from rural voices that might otherwise be ignored. The teacher joins the program today as well as two students who participated in the project.

    June 27, 2025: The state of steel production at a local plant and a major flood prevention upgrade for the Metro East

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025


    For this week's Friday Reporter Roundtable, we're focusing on the Metro East, from the fate of Granite City Works to flooding.

    June 27, 2025: Pritzker runs for third term

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2025


    For the first time in more than four decades, a sitting Illinois governor will be seeking a third term. On top of that, the debate's continuing over whether JB Pritzker might seek even higher office. A longtime chief politics reporter for the Chicago Tribune discusses what Pritzker's decision means for Illinois in this week's Politics News Roundup.

    Remembering VE Day 80 years later

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2025


    A historian and author who has written about World War II joins the program to speak about VE Day 80 years later. 

    Chicago perfumery bridges scent and sound

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025


    What is the scent of that sound? Or put a different way, what does a scent sound like? That is a question that has been thoroughly considered by the co-founders of Clue Perfumery in Chicago. We talk with them about the creative process.

    Illinois' new Poet Laureate talks about his writing, mission and his Native American identity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2025


    Mark Turcotte has been selected as Illinois' next Poet Laureate. His four year term begins July 1. He joins the program to talk about how his lived experiences have shaped his writing, his Native American identity and what he hopes to accomplish as Poet Laureate. 

    New book explores efforts to restrict Freedom of the Press in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2025


    The book “Murder The Truth: Fear, The First Amendment, And A Secret Campaign To Protect The Powerful" looks at right wing politicians effort to overturn the New York Times Company vs. Sullivan precedent, and in so doing weaken the American press. The author of the book joins the program today.

    What’s next after U.S. inserts itself into Israel-Iran war?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2025


    A panel of Middle East and geopolitics experts share their reactions to the U.S. targeting Iran's buclear facilities over the weekend and an analysis of the repecussions.

    As Israel and Iran war intensifies, is U.S. intervention inevitable?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2025


    New Ella Jenkins biography sheds light on her role in developing children’s music

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025


    Ella Jenkins died last year at the age of 100 and now she’s the subject of a new biography. It’s called “This is Rhythm: Ella Jenkins, Children’s Music, and the Long Civil Rights Movement.” The author of the book joins the program today to discuss Jenkins' life, career, and her influence on children's music.

    Courts Update: Madigan sentencing, State Senator Emil Jones III corruption case, and more

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2025


    The fall of Michael Madigan continued last week, as the former speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and Democratic powerbroker was sentenced to more than seven years in prison. There are questions about what happens next in the trial of a state senator that ended with a hung jury. Also, a jury found a former January 6 defendant guilty of reckless homicide in a 2022 car crash.  

    Author documents attempt to change her own personality in new book

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2025


    Olga Khazan is a staff writer for the Atlantic. She descibes herself as neurotic. Khazan spent a year writing the book “Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change.” The project made her question if she could indeed change her personality. Khazan joins the program today.

    Reaction to anti-ICE protests and the wider context behind the Latino community’s fight for immigration justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025


    Protests swept across the country last week in response to ICE officers raiding communities and detaining undocumented immigrants.But the protesting movement itself didn’t appear last week. There is a long history of organizing especially within Latino communities, which have long led the fight for immigration justice efforts.

    ‘No Kings’ protest in Central Illinois brings people from all walks of life together

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025


    Over the weekend, protests took over cities across Illinois and around the nation – under the banner “No Kings Day.” An Illinois Public Media News reporter who covered the rallies in downtown Urbana joins the program.

    Is deploying the National Guard to handle ICE protestors an ‘overreach of federal authority’?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2025


    A former Democratic congressman who led the Illinois National Guard talks about the legality, politics, and practicality of calling in the National Guard to push back against protestors.  

    Ultra-runner completes 400-mile journey across Illinois in 10 days

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


    In the spring of 2025, Chase Bandolik ran 416 miles from Cairo, Illinois north to Beloit, Wisconsin (near the northern Illinois border). We talk with him about the journey.

    June 13, 2025: Pritzker goes to DC to defend sanctuary status while ICE officers target migrants outside courts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


    Illinois Gov. Pritzker went to Washington this week to defend the state's sanctuary policies. In our Friday politics roundup, we talk about that, immigration enforcement actions in Chicago, and protests against ICE.

    June 13, 2025: Professors sue Bradley University and EV manufacturer to build assembly plant in Peoria area

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


    We check in on the latest news out of the Peoria region in our Friday reporter roundup.

    What U.S. House vote to take back NPR, PBS funding means for Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2025


    This week, Republicans in Congress moved a step closer to their long-held goal of ending federal support for public media. We talk about it with the president of the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council.

    Book takes deep look into evolution of women through lens of the female body

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2025


    The book "Eve" explores human evolution with a particular focus on the female body and its author joins the program today.

    The significance of LGBTQ spaces in a challenging political climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2025


    Business owners who offer safe spaces to their local LGBTQ communities in downstate Illinois discuss what these spaces mean to people in the current political environment. 

    What to know about Pollinator Week

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025


    Next week is Pollinator Week. It was created in 2007 and was designed to bring attention the importance of our pollinators. That includes bees, beetles, flies, moths and even bats. How important are they for plants? Also, they play major roles in our ecosystems, in agriculture and even in our health. 

    An increase of wind in Illinois and across the country? Climate and energy experts explain

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025


    There has been reporting to suggest that his spring has been one of the windiest on record for the country overall, with some states setting a new record themselves. Climate and energy experts explain the sudden increase in windy conditions. 

    Breaking down Meta’s deal with Clinton power plant: What does it mean for future of nuclear energy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2025


    Meta recently signed a 20-year deal with the nuclear plant owned by Constellation Energy in Clinton, Illinois. An energy expert discusses the complexities of this agreement, what it means for the future of nuclear energy, artificial intelligence, and the region. 

    Why are police on Illinois college campuses stopping Black drivers at high rates?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025


    For decades, we've known Black drivers in Illinois get pulled over at rates higher than white drivers. A new analysis from the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, along with WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, has found those disparities extend to the state's public college campuses, too.

    Rockford prepares to celebrate culture and community at the South Main Mercado

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025


    We talk with the organizers of Rockford's South Main Mercado, which takes place this Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

    June 6, 2025: How did education policy fare in the 2025 Illinois General Assembly session?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025


    How did education across Illinois fare in the budget? We asked the correspondent for an Illinois based education focused news service. We also covered President Trump's attempt to claw back money for foreign aid and public broadcasting, a new travel ban and Japan's Nippon Steel investing in US Steel and what that means for Granite City's steel mill.

    June 6, 2025 State Roundup: 5th child dies after after daycare center crash and Springfield business boom

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2025


    Our Friday, June 5, 2025 Reporter Roundtable covering stories making headlines in Springfield, including the latest on the Chatham afterschool crash and new plans to business in downtown booming. 

    Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’: The impact on SNAP and farmers in Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025


    What happens when money is deducted from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to in part, fund subsidies for farmers?  What does that mean for Illinois? The state is a leading producer of soybeans, corn, and more — ranking fifth nationally in the exportation of agricultural products to other countries.

    Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’: The impact on Medicaid programs in Illinois

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025


    President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" calls for big cuts to social welfare programs including Medicaid. How will this impact Illinoisans? 

    What to know about Illinois’ electric rate hikes in the midst of low production and high demand

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2025


    The head of an organization that advocates for the state's utility consumers gives her take on why electric rates are increasing, what it means across Illinois and what people can do to keep their rates low.

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