The 21st Show

Harold Washington; Illinois Car Seat Law; Rockford Peaches Anniversary; Alzheimer’s Latino Study

By Niala Boodhoo, Libby Foster and Robin Linn
 

Charles Bennett/AP

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On the 21st: We discuss a new Illinois kids car seat law which would require children under two to ride in rear-facing car seats. Plus, we talk to Dr. David Marquez about new research on Alzheimer's in the Latino community. Also, the Rockford Peaches celebrated their 75th anniversary this month. What did the town do to celebrate? But first, we talk to biographer Roger Biles about his new book "Mayor Harold Washington: Champion of Race and Reform in Chicago." 

Harold Washington made history in 1983 when he was elected as Chicago’s first African-American mayor. Now - a new biography out about him analyzes his legacy - and asks if his progressive politics and race coalition building can be repeated again.

It’s called: Mayor Harold Washington: Champion of Race and Reform in Chicago.

It’s written by Roger Biles, an emeritus history professor at Illinois State University. He’ll be talking about the book this weekend at Printer’s Row Lit Fest in Chicago - Saturday at 2 p.m and he joined us from our partner station WGLT in Bloomington.

Plus- 

When it comes to keeping our kids safe, it’s something we all take seriously. But guidelines can be confusing. And whose recommendations do we follow--our doctors? The government?

A new Illinois state law hopes to make things a little simpler for parents, at least when it comes to car seats. It would require all children be in rear-facing car seats until the age of two. And as Senator Hastings of Tinley Park explained to the Associated Press, this would make the law a lot less vague and basically put it legislation the same guidelines that have been recommended for some time by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

We were joined from the Illinois Chapter of the AAP by their Government Affairs Committee Chair, Eddie Pont to talk more about this new law. 

Also- 

Aging, and the health concerns that come with it, is a concern for all of us. And one of the largest concerns is Alzheimer’s. Here in Illinois, the Disease is the sixth leading cause of death, and more than 200,000 seniors live with the condition. That statistic doesn’t take into account those living with early-onset Alzheimer’s.

But, according to research from the University of Southern California, one population severely at risk is the Latino community. Latinos are fifty percent more likely to develop the disease than whites, and by 2060 the number of Latinos living with Alzheimer’s in the US is expected to rise by 800 percent.

A group of researchers in Illinois are trying to change that. Joining us on the line was Dr. David Marquez. He’s the lead investigator of the Latino Core Study at Rush University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center.

And- 

75 years ago, in May 1943, the team that film is based on, The Rockford Peaches, played their first game in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.

To celebrate the anniversary, the International Women’s Baseball Center (IWBC) hosted a variety of events including a “Diamonds Denim and Stars Fundraiser,” autograph signing with the original peaches, Rockford Peaches day at the City Market and more.

Joining me now is Kat Williams. Kat is the President of the International Women’s Baseball Center and she just got back from Rockford. She’s on the line now from Huntington, West Virginia where she is a professor of Women’s Sport History at Marshall University.

Story source: WILL