Two women from central and southern Illinois opened up the Route History museum in Springfield and are working to tell the stories of the tragedy, resilience, and excellence of Black people along the Historic Route 66.

A very rare symptom of COVID-19 is being reported in a small number of patients around the country, and it’s known as 'COVID Psychosis.' The 21st spoke with psychiatrists and a Morris, Illinois woman who believes her husband took his own life after the virus itself spurred a mental health crisis.

Musicians across Illinois, like those around the world, have been finding ways to adapt to life in a pandemic. Whether with masks and distancing or perfecting their virtual performances, the show has gone on.

Many of the traditions around the holy month of Ramadan had to be modified this year; physical distancing made it impossible for many to gather with family and friends to break fast at the end of each day. However, some aspects remain of Ramadan remained unchanged, including the idea of Zakat. The 21st was joined by a Sheikh from an Illinois mosque to hear more about the meaning of Zakat and how the pandemic affected celebrations this year.

History was made in the chambers of the Peoria City Council when Rita Ali was sworn in as the city’s mayor; Mayor Ali is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first African American elected to that job. The 21st was joined by Ali to talk about vaccine hesitancy, racial segregation in Peoria and other issues the community is facing. 

Isaac Simmons, also known as Ms. Penny Cost, is the first drag queen put forward as a candidate for the ministry in the United Mehtodist Church. The 21st spoke with him about bringing drag to spirituality in Bloomington, Illinois.

Helmut Jahn designed buildings across the U.S. and around the world — including the technicolor neon tunnel of United Airlines’ Terminal 1 at O’Hare Airport. Jahn passed away this weekend and to talk about his life The 21st was joined by a Dean from Illinois Institute of Technology. 

The debate to move away from fossil fuels is happening now in the rural community of Pembroke Township in Kankakee County, Illinois. Some city and state leaders are advocating for a pipeline there to connect the town with natural gas from the company Nicor. But some residents worry about the environmental costs in an area that was home to one of the largest communities of Black farmers in the country. 

While the COVID-19 pandemic stretches on, almost 35% of Americans are now fully vaccinated, and for many life is returning to normal. However, across the Atlantic in India, where just 2% of the country’s 1.3 billion people are vaccinated, there is a major crisis raging. COVID cases have surged since March, with new cases hovering around 400,000 per day in the past two weeks.

Even as restrictions loosen and more potential customers are vaccinated, some restaurants are struggling to find workers. The 21st checked in on how restaurants are doing in the current phase of the pandemic.