217 Today — March 26, 2021

Friday, March 26, 2021

Today’s headlines:

  • More than two-thirds of staff at Illinois prisons rejected their chance at getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

  • A bill state legislators say would expand voting rights is on its way to the governor after passing the Senate. It would increase vote by mail options and allow curbside voting.

  • Larger cities in Illinois have home rule powers automatically. Smaller towns have to ask voters for permission. That’s what’s happening in Savoy on April 6.

  • More than 47,000 people have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in Champaign County. That accounts for about 28% of everyone 16 and older – and about 23% of the entire population of Champaign County.

In today’s deep dive, after a long year with virtually no live, indoor music performances, we’re beginning to see a few green shoots of hope this spring. We get details on chamber music performances from Sinfonia da Camera coming up next week.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Patrick Smith, Christine Hatfield, and Jim Meadows.

Jose Zepeda