ABOUT US

History

In January 2000, the University of Illinois at Springfield began a comprehensive study to determine the challenges and solutions in establishing a statewide public affairs television network.

The study was funded by The Joyce Foundation and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and ended in December 2002.

In January 2003,the Illinois Channel began operations as an independent, nonprofit organization.

Public Affairs programming on the Illinois Channel includes:

• unedited coverage of legislative committee hearings
• unedited coverage of the executive and judicial branches of state government
• press conferences
• public policy events taking place across Illinois

Everyone benefits!

• When fully funded, citizens across the state could watch as their state government acts on the issues of interest from managed care reform to education funding and from license plate and ATM fees to environmental standards.
• Illinoisans can see and hear the speakers, national leaders, and authors who appear on state university campuses.
• The channel will give teachers access to programs on state government and public affairs issues for their classrooms.
• Businesses and consumer groups could follow legislative and regulatory action on a variety of issues: transportation...taxes...business regulations...economic development.

Former Vice-Chair Comments on the Illinois Channel:

"It is crucial - if our democracy is to survive and be effective - that the people know what's going on in government."
 

Former Governor Jim Edgar

Former Vice-Chair

Illinois Channel Advisory Board

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