There's a lot happening in Illinois politics. To talk about criminal justice reform, public health, last week's budget address, and more, we were joined by State Representative Sonya Harper, joint chair of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus.

As the Illinois General Assembly plans its return to Springfield next week — the first meeting of the legislature since early March — we talk to Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford about what's on the agenda.

Today on The 21st: a conversation with Illinois Senate Majority Leader and Black Caucus Chair Kimberly Lightford, college students considering a "gap year," and a former Chicago Tribune sportswriter and central Illinois basketball player on the ESPN miniseries The Last Dance.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and black state legislators are escalating a fight that began earlier this week.