Illinois

Statewide: Teen Rappers Bring A Message Of Anti-Violence; Reaction To PSA On School Shootings

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Sean Crawford

Published October 3, 2019 at 2:07 PM CDT

This week, we hear from a Champaign-Urbana rap group whose members make their experiences with violence part of their music.

We learn about a public service announcement depicting school shootings that is grabbing attention. And that's the point. Also, we visit a small Illinois community that is the hometown of a world famous sculptor.

That and more on this episode of Statewide.

Our lineup:

* Tony Arnold of WBEZ reports on how the I-PASS system used on Illinois tollways can be used to track motorists.

* Tim Shelley of WCBU takes a trip to Elmwood, a small town that pays homage to native son and sculptor Lorado Taft.

* Jason Parrott of TriStates Public Radio brings us the story of a barn captured on canvas by painters just hours before it was destroyed by a tornado.

* Sean Crawford speaks with U of I Extension educator Ken Johnson about the invasion of the brown marmorated stink bug in Illinois.

* Eli Chen of St. Louis Public Radio tells us about a woman who has made it her mission to take care of hens whose best laying days are behind them.

David Hoskins, Donte Jones, Kay Stubbs, Jaden Brown-Gates and Naszay Ellerbe came to the studio at Illinois Public Media to talk about their approach to writing rap songs that promote a message of nonviolence.

* Christine Herman of Illinois Public Media had a conversation with a teen rap group "Forever My Brothers" who use lyrics to address gun violence.

* Susie An of WBEZ reports on a public service announcement designed to get more attention on the problem of school shootings.

* Mary Hansen of NPR Illinois tells us remains of burned homes from the 1908 Springfield Race Riot are closer to being designated a National Historic Monument.

* Sam Dunklau with NPR Illinois finds out some former churches have been given new purposes.

Listen to Statewide across Illinois:

Bloomington/Normal – WGLT 89.1 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon)
Carbondale – WSIU 91.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. / Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Mount Vernon - WVSI 88.9 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. / Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Olney - WUSI 90.3 (Fridays 2-3 p.m. / Sundays 6-7 a.m.)
Rockford/DeKalb – WNIJ 89.5 (Saturdays 6-7 a.m. / Sundays 6-7 p.m.)
Springfield/Decatur - WUIS 91.9 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon and 11 p.m. - Midnight / Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Peoria – WCBU 89.9 (Fridays 6-7 p.m.)
Pittsfield - WIPA 89.3 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon and 11 p.m. - Midnight / Saturdays 9-10 a.m.)
Urbana/Champaign – WILL 580 (Fridays 11 a.m. - Noon and 7-8 p.m.)