Bryan Maxwell is one of the 10 people hoping to represent the Democratic Party in this fall’s election for outgoing Senator Dick Durbin's seat. Known for supporting anti-war causes, he shares his views on military spending, economic sanctions in other countries, and being a socialist.

15,000 Illinoisans are facing homelessness on any given day, according to a report released by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The scale of homelessness has grown in recent years even as states like Illinois embrace active efforts to bring it down. That increase in homelessness has also strained some of the organizations who are trying to help.The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Tax season is looking a little different this year, because of new tax policy created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast…Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The Food Pyramid was introduced to the public in 1992 by the federal government to serve as a guide for a healthy and balanced diet. The current Food Pyramid is now inverted. Two nutrition experts discuss present day nutrition guidelines. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Pamela Denise Long is seeking the Republican nomination in Illinois' U.S. Senate race. She discusses her nuanced perspectives on many topics including abortion rights, healthcare for transgender people, and high income taxes for Illinoisans. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

It’s been one year and one day since President Trump returned to office. A political science professor and a former U.S. ambassador weigh in on America's place in the world from recent rhetoric around Greenland to policies toward Russia and Ukraine.The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

A general preview of what lies ahead in the spring legislative session as Illinois lawmakers return to SpringfieldThe 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The Illinois Senate returned to Springfield last week. The House returns today, and the two chambers will spend the next several months trying to address a projected $2.2 billion budget shortfall. Senate Republican Leader John Curran joins the program to highlight some goals Republican lawmakers are focusing on this session.  The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations.Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

The Illinois House is set to return to Springfield today — to begin the 2026 spring legislative session. Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Emanuel “Chris” Welch joins the program to preview the session. The 21st Show is Illinois' statewide weekday public radio talk show, connecting Illinois and bringing you the news, culture, and stories that matter to the 21st state. Have thoughts on the show or one of our episodes, or want to share an idea for something we should talk about? Send us an email: [email protected]. If you'd like to have your say as we're planning conversations, join our texting group! Just send the word "TALK" to (217) 803-0730. Subscribe to our podcast and hear our latest conversations. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6PT6pb0... Find past segments, links to our social media and more at our website: 21stshow.org.

Non-violence was key to Martin Luther King’s conception of politics, following the example of Gandhi. But even before his assassination, activists were rejecting parts of that philosophy. We’ll talk about how both Gandhi and King approached the subject of nonviolence, and whether it’s still relevant today.