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The 21st Join host Niala Boodhoo for an interactive talk show that sets a new standard for conversation in Illinois. The show airs M-F at 11 AM on WILL-AM580 and streams live at 21stShow.org. Follow on Twitter: @21stshow.
The 21st

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The 21st

The 21st

From Illinois Public Media - WILL

Join host Niala Boodhoo for an interactive talk show that sets a new standard for conversation in Illinois. The show airs M-F at 11 AM on WILL-AM580 and streams live at 21stShow.org. Follow on Twitter: @21stshow.More from The 21st »

Most Recent Episodes

Live From The State Capitol: Gov. Pritzker's First Budget Address

On the 21st: We broadcast live from the floor of the state capitol ahead of Governor J.B. Pritzker's first budget address. We hear from Comptroller Susana Mendoza, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, and Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Finally, we get some analysis from UIS professor Ken Kriz and Illinois Public Radio's Brian Mackey ahead of the speech.

Illinois Raises Minimum Wage; A Hard Look At The Budget; Measles Outbreaks; Recycling Batteries

On the 21st: Illinois is set to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 throughout the entire state. Plus, as Gov. Pritzker gets ready to deliver his first budget address, we'll talk with the Civic Federation's Laurence Msall about what Illinois needs to get its finances in order. And, the CDC says there have been more than 120 cases of measles in the U.S. since the start of 2019—and in recent days, four have been confirmed in Champaign-Urbana. Finally, we'll hear about a new battery recycling program out of Argonne National Laboratory.

Illinois Raises Minimum Wage; A Hard Look At The Budget; Measles Outbreaks; Recycling Batteries

Listen · 50:31

Aurora Holds Vigil For Shooting Victims; Illinoisans In Washington; JFK Exhibit At Lincoln Museum

On the 21st: Hundreds of people gathered in Aurora yesterday to remember the five people who died in a mass shooting on Friday. Plus, more of our conversations from the nation's capital. We hear from one neurosurgeon who goes to Washington every month to advocate on behalf of her patients, and hear from U of I students who are there for the semester. And, Lawrence Schiller was behind some of the most iconic photos of President Kennedy's life. He's curated a new exhibit, featuring JFK, that you can see now at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

Aurora Holds Vigil For Shooting Victims; Illinoisans In Washington; JFK Exhibit At Lincoln Museum

Listen · 50:30

Sen. Duckworth: Trump's "National Emergency" is illegal

Congress voted Thursday to approve a spending plan that would keep the government open. We sat down with Senator Tammy Duckworth just before the Senate vote in Washington D.C.

Representative Cheri Bustos; NPR's Scott Simon; How Shutdowns Affect Science Research

On The 21st: Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is the fifth-ranking House Democrat and is in charge of making sure the party wins House elections across the country. We'll sit down with her at NPR headquarters in Washington D.C. And, we catch up with NPR host Scott Simon. Plus, around $300 million in funding from the National Science Foundation each year goes to academic researchers in Illinois. How did last month's shutdown affect not just operations but scientific research across the country?

Representative Cheri Bustos; NPR's Scott Simon; How Shutdowns Affect Science Research

Listen · 50:34

Sen. Dick Durbin; 'The Religious Left' In Illinois; Rep. Rodney Davis

On The 21st: When it comes to religion in politics, Christian conservatives on the right have long held a deciding vote. But, a new wave of religious progressives are also getting out the vote. Plus, we speak with Rep. Rodney Davis, Republican Congressman representing Illinois' 13th Congressional district. But first, the deadline to finalize an agreement over a southern border wall between the US and Mexico is fast approaching. We sit down with Senator Durbin, one of the members of Congress trying to prevent another shutdown.

Live from D.C: Rep. Krishnamoorthi; Rep. Casten; Rep. LaHood; Lincoln Memorial; Lincoln's Cottage

On The 21st: Today is Abraham Lincoln's birthday and we're broadcasting live from our nation's capitol. We visit the Lincoln Memorial and President Lincoln's Cottage. We also speak with members of Illinois' Congressional delegation, the day after leaders from both parties agreed, in principle, on a deal to fund the government. We'll talk with Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sean Casten, and Darin LaHood on whether they'll support this deal.

Live from D.C: Rep. Krishnamoorthi; Rep. Casten; Rep. LaHood; Lincoln Memorial; Lincoln's Cottage

Listen · 50:31

Summer Food Programs; Southern Illinois Prohibition Army; Passive Houses; Food Bank Check-in

On The 21st: Nearly a hundred years ago, the 18th amendment to the US constitution banned liquor. During that time, some anti-liquor advocates teamed up with the KKK to target Italian and French immigrants. Plus, 'Passive houses' are insulated eco-friendly homes which need almost no heat or air conditioning, and in the U.S., they started in Urbana. We also speak with the Rock River Valley Pantry about how the freezing weather affects people who need their services. But first, every day, 30 million students across the country get their lunch at school. But what happens when the school year ends?

Summer Food Programs; Southern Illinois Prohibition Army; Passive Houses; Food Bank Check-in

Listen · 50:30

First Black Marines at Risk of Losing Veterans Center; Fighting for a Cure to ALS

On The 21st: In the 1940s, the Montford Point Marines fought in World War II and were the first African-American marines. Today, some of those veterans live in Chicago, and for decades they've relied on a local veterans center that's now at risk of closing. Plus, Chicagoan Brian Wallach was diagnosed with ALS more than a year ago, and he's spending his time trying to raise 100 million dollars to help find a cure for future generations.

First Black Marines at Risk of Losing Veterans Center; Fighting for a Cure to ALS

Listen · 50:31

The Rise And Fall Of Gov. Blagojevich; Speaker Madigan Gives Deposition; Scientist Victor Bahl

On the 21st: Eight years ago, Rod Blagojevich was sent to federal prison. Now, WBEZ is tackling the rise and fall of our state's 40th governor in a podcast called Public Official A. Also, Illinois' House Speaker Mike Madigan is being sued by a political opponent who says the Speaker put sham candidates on the ballot. We unpack this story with the Chicago Tribune's Ray Long. Plus, the internet of today is massive, complicated, and, as researcher Victor Bahl says, almost taken for granted. We speak with Bahl as he gets ready at a research conference for U of I students.

The Rise And Fall Of Gov. Blagojevich; Speaker Madigan Gives Deposition; Scientist Victor Bahl

Listen · 50:32

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