The 21st Show

Route 66, America’s most famous highway is turning 100 this year, and Illinois is bound up in more than 300 miles of its stories. To kick off our week-long series and begin our statewide journey, the 21st Show traveled to the start of Route 66, in the heart of downtown Chicago

Nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Twenty-five years later, Illinoisans share stories of where they were and how the events of that day affected them.

Tristan Ahtone is a member of the Kiowa Tribe and editor-at-large at Grist. His award-winning investigation “Land-Grab Universities” revealed how the 1862 Morrill Act turned nearly 11 million acres of Indigenous land into seed money for land-grant universities — including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Many pregnancies end not with birth, but with loss and that can leave a lasting mark on the people who experience it. A new book takes a deep dive into this.

Economist and sociologist Juliet Schor has spent years documenting how Americans are overworked — but her latest research suggests a solution: shaving one day off the workweek, with no drop in pay or (in many cases) productivity. She outlines these findings in a book, “Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter.”

An Illinois-based journalist is searching for President Barack Obama's controversial tan suit after it was given away.

What does downstate Illinois have to offer to visitors?

Niala Boodhoo has more than two decades of experience in journalism — including, as the founding host and executive producer of the 21st Show. She is launching a podcast in which she's interviewing religious scholars and looking at modern day issues from a spiritual point of view.

Illinois native Pokey LaFarge is back in the 21st state for some performances He discusses an upcoming national tour as well as his new album that will be released in less than two weeks.

Illinois has deep economic ties to Canada and counts the country as it’s number one international trading partner. Meanwhile, a trade war with Canada has the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on each other’s goods. What does all this mean for Illinois?

School districts across Illinois will be required to ban cell phones and other devices during the school day starting next school year. A state lawmaker, an educator, and an education policy expert discuss how that works, as well as the pros and cons … for students, teachers, and families.

Republican Jeff Wilson is hoping to make Illinois' 13th congressional district red again. Running against incumbent Nikki Budzinski, the former Champaign County Board member makes his case.

Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is looking to represent Illinois' 13th district for a third term. She discusses what's been accomplished for the district so far and what her future plans are if given the opportunity to serve a third term. 

Federal charges have been filed against four managers of a Southern Illinois coal mine. This stems from a fire back in 2021. The men are accused of failing to evacuate their people — and then covering up what happened.

In the early 1970's, a young filmmaker named Barbara Kopple heard a story on NPR about leadership elections for the United Mine Workers of America, which was among the strongest labor unions in the United States. Nearly 50 years later, Kopple discusses how the film is still relevant.

In 2024, Republican Darin LaHood was re-elected unopposed in Illinois’ 16th district. This year, he has a challenger. Democrat Paul Nolley discusses what he brings to the table.

"Octopolis,” a 20-foot-tall sculpture made from — among other things — salvaged metal and reclaimed fabric will be featured at Burning Man in Nevada this summer. An Illinois woman and her sister came up with the idea from the project and created it.

The pesticides that farmers use can drift miles beyond where they’re originally used-harming plants, trees, and people. We’ll talk about how it happens as well as what could change with more regulation.

Two years after the launch of the Women’s Pro Baseball League, the inaugural season is taking place right now — in Springfield, Illinois. We’ll talk about the significance of the league and the history of women playing baseball in America.

Illinois is one of the top corn producers in the country but producing it could be more difficult in the near future. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign say that a lack of diversity in the corn’s genetics could make it more difficult to breed new corn that can survive the difficulties of the future.

Republican Congressman Mike Bost has a challenger this year in the mid-terms. Democratic congressional candidate Julie Fortier discusses the needs of Southern Illinois residents and what she brings to the table.

21st Show host Brian Mackey captures a sonic postcard from some of the thousands of people who are part of making the state fair.

The State Fair is back in town. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II discusses the state of agriculture in the 21st state from the fair.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey explains why he's running for governor again and shares his thoughts on existing policies in the state.

In 1872, a group of men set out to take a census of Earth's oceans, but much of the life they discovered no longer exists. A new book examines their voyage and what it can tell us about our oceans' decline.