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Durham currently operates a strategic communications company representing clients from political candidates to nonprofit organizations.  Previously, he was employed as spokesperson for State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka and later as spokesperson for the House Republican Caucus.  From these capacities, he has developed extensive contacts throughout state government and the Illinois Press Corps.

 

These new members join existing members Ken Alderson, Board Chair and Executive Director of the Illinois Municipal League; Barbara Ferrara, Acting Director of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at the University of Illinois at Springfield; Mike Lawrence, Director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; Terry Martin, Executive Director of the Illinois Channel; Tom Ryder, Former State Representative; Zack Stamp, Attorney; and Dr. Neil Winston, Immediate Past-President of the Chicago Medical Society.

 

Over the last two years, the Illinois Channel’s growth has been considerable, developing from a university study into a service with a presence throughout Illinois.  The Channel is now seen in 71 Illinois communities as well as St. Louis and Jefferson counties in Missouri.  The Channel’s programming now reaches approximately 1.2 million cable homes.  Its programming is also available via video-streaming at www.illinoischannel.org.

 

The Illinois Channel is not affiliated with any other group or organization, nor is it funded by state government.  Its operations are funded primarily by grants from foundations and corporations.  The Illinois Channel is a nonprofit corporation formed to cover Illinois state government and public affairs events.  Modeled after C-SPAN, the channel provides unedited coverage of government proceedings, political campaigns, forums at universities, in-depth interviews with newsmakers, and programs that help explain how government works.

 

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