Amanda Knox On Access To Justice Ahead Of Headlining Innocence Project Event

The Illinois Innocence Project will host Amanda Knox at a virtual fundraiser for the organization on Thursday evening in an event billed as “Guilty Until Proven Innocent.”

The Illinois Innocence Project, based at the University of Illinois Springfield, is part of a larger network of Innocence Project organizations throughout the U.S., which aims to free the wrongfully incarcerated and prevent wrongful convictions in the first place. The Illinois Innocence Project has helped release 17 innocent men and women in Illinois, including five in 2020.

In the nine years since Amanda Knox was acquitted on appeal after being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for the murder of her roommate in 2007, Knox has cleared her name and now works as a journalist and speaker.

Knox’s 2013 memoir, Waiting to be Heard, details her experience with the Italian criminal justice system, including early missteps and eventually abuse in police and prosecutor conduct in the investigation into the brutal murder of Knox’s study abroad roommate Meredith Kercher.

This story aired appeared on NPR Illinois on December 9, 2020.

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Otwell, Contreras Bring Home AP Awards

NPR Illinois had been recognized for excellence in reporting during the recent Illinois Associated Press Broadcasters Awards.

Reporter Rachel Otwell took home a first place award for Best Hard News Feature. Her report “Shootings in Springfield Leave Many Seeking Solutions” was done after the death of 19 year old Andres Booker III in a city park. The community was seeing an uptick in violence at the time.

Judges were impressed with Rachel’s work. “Great use of sound. The reporter really took listeners to Comer Cox Park in this story,” they wrote.

Rachel, a Rochester native, has been with NPR Illinois since 2011. Her work focuses primarily on equity and the arts. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting program at the University of Illinois Springfield, where she interned with NPR Illinois.

Daisy Contreras was also honored with a second place award in the Best Investigative category. Daisy produced a feature story titled “The Trouble with Temp Work.” The Illinois Issues piece looked at working conditions for those with temporary employment and problems that include wage theft.

Daisy accompanied a group of these employees in Elgin on their way to work. She found Illinois, because of transportation advantages, is home to many warehouses which employ temporary workers.

Daisy is from Chicago. She graduated from the Public Affairs Reporting program at UIS in 2017. She produced her winning feature while an intern with NPR Illinois, where she is now a full time reporter covering state government.

The story was reported on April 25, 2018, by NPR Illinois.

Read the story online.

Survey shows Sangamon County businesses worried about state finances

The Survey Research Office at the University of Illinois Springfield has released the Spring 2016 Sangamon County Economic Outlook Survey.

The study examines the economic perceptions, expectations and evaluations of Sangamon County businesses as well as public and non-profit organizations.

The spring 2016 survey reveals that economic expectations for the economy of Sangamon County have decreased slightly since the spring of 2015 across all economic sectors. More than a third of respondents (36%) expect to see a decline in the state of the overall economy in the next 12 months. Similarly, 27% say that overall employment will decline, and 25% think that revenue will also decrease in the next 12 months.

The story was reported by WUIS Radio on May 31, 2016.

Read/listen to the full story online.

A "MAP" of how higher ed and students are lost in Illinois' political battle

College campuses (and the politics behind them) are taking center stage in Springfield's festering stalemate.

Gridlock has kept money from going to higher education since July. Then, in a matter of hours on Thursday, Democratic lawmakers approved a plan that would pump $720 million dollars into the system. Republicans are calling it a "cruel hoax" that's giving students false hope, even though they, too, say they want to help higher ed. It's a scenario that demonstrates the partisan tensions, and politics, at play.

Legislators on the House higher education committee recently had the chance to meet someone.

"Good afternoon, thank you for having me. My name's Jamie Anderson, I'm a senior at the University of Illinois Springfield. I'm from Stillman Valley, Illinois which is a small town ten minutes outside of Rockford, Illinois."

Anderson says everyone in her life had told her, she'd never make it that far.

"I was a ward of the state. I was a foster child for 11 years. And I just didn't have a family to afford for me to come to college," she testified Wednesday.

She says the Monetary Award Program made it possible.

"I would not be here today if it wasn't for the MAP grant. I would not be the student leader I have become today if it was not for the MAP grant," Anderson, 22, told representatives. 

This story was featured on NPR on January 29, 2016.

Listen to the story online

Illinois Issues magazine going all digital

The August edition of Illinois Issues will be the last print version of the 40-year-old magazine.

The change comes about a year after the publication merged with WUIS-FM 91.9, with reporters from both outlets doing radio and magazine stories.

"This has been a difficult decision," Randy Eccles, general manager of the radio station and publisher of Illinois Issues, wrote on his Mission Control blog at wuis.org, the site of magazine and radio stories. He added that it is hardest on the staff, but they also "realize the reality of the media market."

"I still enjoy holding printed pages but find myself more frequently reading on my smartphone or laptop," Eccles said.

Declining circulation, costs associated with trying to increase print distribution, and uncertain state funding combined to push the decision to go all digital, Eccles said. He also said the good news is that some stories recently published online have been read by five times the number reached by the print magazine.

Jamey Dunn, Illinois Issues executive editor, said that as of early this year, the magazine had just under 1,000 paid subscribers. The level was nearly 6,000 back in 1994.

Dunn noted that the magazine was started by U.S. Sen. Paul Simon and others who wanted to create a "nonpartisan, in-depth venue" so people could learn about Illinois.

She and others at the magazine are very sad about the end of the print edition, she said, but she added that the online experience so far has been very encouraging.

"We realize that the way that we're going to reach more of an audience and new people is online," Dunn said. "That's where people are getting their news."

State support for the magazine through the University of Illinois Springfield was $175,000 last fiscal year, Dunn said. Eccles wrote that Illinois Issues might have faced a $120,000 deficit without the move to all digital.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on July 23, 2015.

Read the article online.

Chancellor: Positive changes coming to UIS

Despite concerns over state funding, there is reason for optimism at the University of Illinois Springfield.

In the first part of our interview, Chancellor Susan Koch told us about planning that is underway for a likely reduction in funding. But there's also a bright side at UIS.

The campus has all time high enrollment and many other positive changes are coming. A new nursing program will launch this fall and ground will soon be broken on a Student Union.

This interview aired on WUIS on April 1, 2015.

Listen to the interview here.

UI officials: Tuition off table for now, but plenty of cuts are possible

A tuition increase is off the table this year but just about everything else is on it at the University of Illinois if big budget cuts are enacted, top UI officials told lawmakers Thursday.

Gov. Bruce Rauner's proposed budget calls for a 31.5 percent, or $209 million, reduction at the UI for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

In separate appearances before House and Senate appropriations committees, UI officials outlined possible areas for cuts: personnel, student employment, extension services, public broadcasting and more deferred maintenance.

But Republican members of both the Senate and the House prodded university officials to seek efficiencies and to embrace reforms, including changes in workers compensation and procurement policies.

At times, lawmakers seemed intent on getting UI President Robert Easter and Illinois State President Larry Dietz (who preceded him in both hearings) to endorse their partisan goals.

It likely was the final appearance before an appropriations committee for Easter, who officially steps down as president in May. "As I walked away, I thought, 'I won't have to do this again,'" he said with a smile minutes after wrapping up the Senate session. "I think the members are truly trying to help us in a very difficult situation. I didn't sense that it was an adversarial conversation at all. It was a conversation where they are trying to deal with some incredibly difficult issues. I don't envy them." 

Although Easter has appointed a "leadership group" to prepare for cuts, he said it's too early to say what the university's response will be once the budget reductions — which are considered inevitable at some level — are enacted.

"But the programs that a land-grand university traditionally has managed and are a service to the public have to be paid by public resources."

In citing cuts to public services — one of the traditional missions of the university — Easter mentioned extension services that are offered in all 102 Illinois counties, and public broadcasting. 

"We provide a myriad of services to the state," he told the House committee. "We operate a public broadcasting station here in Springfield for the benefit of the public. I'm not sure a year from now we can do that. We operate a public broadcasting station in Urbana for the same reason. They're valued. "Can we continue to do that and how do we fund that? One could argue that that should be public money, not tuition dollars that supports those things."

Later, though, Easter said he mentioned the public stations "because I was trying to think of an example that was tangible. I'm no more serious about that than any other thing. I don't want to create anxiety there." UI officials portrayed any tuition increases as a last resort.

This story appeared online in The News-Gazette on March 20, 2015.

Read the entire article online.

WUIS, Illinois Issues join together in new media age

The transition in how people get their news in the age of the Internet is playing out in Springfield, as two longtime institutions — Illinois Issues magazine and radio station WUIS — have merged operations.

RANDY ECCLES, who came to WUIS as its development director in 2008 and became general manager in 2013, is overseeing the operation as interim general manager and publisher. He said the station and magazine actually merged as of July 1, and cross-training continues.

Staff of the magazine have now moved into the same building at the University of Illinois campus that houses the radio station, which is part of NPR. Reporters who have been heard on the radio are becoming regular writers for the magazine, and traditionally print reporters have been learning digital editing and are doing radio stories as well.

Strategic planning for the future began under now-retired Illinois Issues editor DANA HEUPEL, who left the job in early 2014, and Eccles said that process led to the merger.

The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on December 24, 2014.

Read the article online

A chat with UIS Athletic Director Kim Pate

The University of Illinois Springfield has come a long way with athletics in the past decade. Now a Division II school, UIS has added 6 programs in that time. That brings the total of teams to 11.

Yet, the expansion has also brought criticism from those who question if sports are part of the school's mission.

"My response is, it's part of education. Our student athletes are students first," said UIS Athletic Director Kim Pate.

She says student athletes learn a lot of life skills, including teamwork, conflict resolution and time management. UIS student athletes managed an overall average GPA of 3.17.

"We've been dedicating more resources and focus on academics," she said.

Pate also says it adds to campus life, giving students something to cheer for. She says it also provides a pathway to many students who might not otherwise go to college without an athletic scholarship.

The story was reported by WUIS Radio on March 12, 2014.

Read the story online

Interview with UIS Chancellor Susan Koch

University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch sat down for a conversation with WUIS on the show Illinois Edition. Topics include efforts to attract international students, a major building project, possible expansion in Peoria and getting more UIS students living in downtown Springfield.

When it comes to Peoria, UIS is interested in expanding its presence. Chancellor Koch says a market study will be done this fall. UIS has had limited class offerings in Peoria for years. Koch said it presents opportunities:

KOCH "It's a vibrant city. They are very excited. They understand the need for a public higher education presence, a greater presence. We've been there, as I've said, for a long time. And so I am looking forward to learning more about exactly the best decision about what we can do there."

Peoria's mayor wants to create a four year public university in that town. But he has met with Koch about UIS expansion. She says the market study will determine the next step.

Meanwhile, UIS is looking to build a student union on the Springfield campus. It is still in the planning stages, although the community will get to see an architectural drawing soon. Chancellor Koch says the student union will be the "social heart" of the campus. Students voted to impose a fee on themselves to help cover some of the cost. Koch says that's because students feel it will be an important addition....

"Really, the student union is going to be an essential element of building community for our campus. And based on what our students tell us, and all types of students -- commuter students, residential students, undergraduate and graduate students -- they feel that building this student union is the highest priority for our campus right now." 

But it will take time and more money to get the facility built. Koch says the school will launch a private fundraising campaign this fall. She says the student union will include the university's dining services, a coffee shop, a large multipurpose room and be home to a center for student leadership.

The story aired on WUIS on August 14, 2013.

Listen to the story online

WUIS shuffles administrators, adds 'Food Desk'

A new local-programming initiative, WUIS Food Desk, will begin airing March 1 on WUIS-FM, the public radio station based at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Executive editor of WUIS Food Desk will be Bill Wheelhouse, who had been WUIS general manager.

Randy Eccles, who has been the station’s development director since 2008, will replace Wheelhouse as general manager. Eccles formerly was with radio stations WGN-AM in Chicago and KTAR-AM/FM in Phoenix.

Food Desk will cover “everything from the seed to the plate,” Eccles said.

Food Desk will be featured throughout the day on a variety of programs, including “All Things Considered” and “Morning Edition.” he said.

WUIS was featured by The State Journal-Register on February 22, 2013.

Read the article online

Essay program allows teens to express their views

WUIS’ This I Believe essay program is designed to capture the viewpoints of area high school seniors and give those students an opportunity to share their thoughts with the community.

Ten authors’ essays are being broadcast on WUIS 91.9 FM (89.3 FM in areas west of Jacksonville) over the next two weeks. The essays are scheduled to air Monday-Friday at 7:50 a.m., in the noon hour and at 4:45 p.m.

This is the seventh year WUIS has produced the program with support from the Rotary Springfield-Sunrise. This year’s essays, and past years’ essays, may be streamed at WUIS.org.

The contest was featured by The State Journal-Register on February 19, 2013.

Read the essays online

WUIS interviews Chancellor Susan Koch

University of Illinois Springfield Chancellor Susan Koch sat down with WUIS’ Sean Crawford to talk about the university’s new visibility campaign, the changing demographic in the UIS student population, and future enrollment goals.

Listen to Part #1 of the Interview

Listen to Part #2 of the Interview

The report aired August 29 and 30, 2012.

WUIS to emphasize news programming starting in July

WUIS 91.9 FM, the National Public Radio outlet at the University of Illinois Springfield, is switching weekday programming largely to news and information from classical music beginning July 2.

New weekday shows will include “Talk of the Nation,” which station officials say is the program most requested by WUIS listeners. “Talk of the Nation,” hosted by veteran NPR journalist Neal Conan, will air from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Other additions include “On Point,” a two-hour discussion and call-in show; “Here & Now,” the latest news and expanded conversation on the day’s events; and a new local program, “Illinois Central,” which will focus on the region, particularly the arts and news. WUIS general manager Bill Wheelhouse and news director Sean Crawford will co-host “Illinois Central.”

The changes were reported in an May 5, 2012, article in The State Journal-Register.

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Scroggin signs off at WUIS

WUIS 91.9 Public Radio of the University of Illinois at Springfield gave its long-time classical music director, Karl Scroggin of Mount Pulaski, a public sendoff April 29 with several complimentary speeches by WUIS staff and former staff.

For nearly 30 years, Scroggin has delighted and educated WUIS listeners with his seemingly bottomless knowledge of classical music. His widespread classical fan club has faithfully tuned in over the years to relish Scroggin’s themes in his delivery of classical music during his daily morning programs.

Even listeners from out-of-state can now hear him and other WUIS programs via the new streaming technology — as far as Juneau, Alaska, according to Sam Bertoni, who was a classmate of Karl’s older brother, Michael, in the mid-1960s. Michael Scroggin lost his life during the Vietnam War.

More than 100 well-wishers stopped by Thursday to wish Scroggin a bon voyage in his retirement.

Scroggin was featured in an March 31, 2012, article in the Lincoln Courier.

Read the article online

Farewell to a classic: Karl Scroggin to retire from WUIS

Hosting a public radio program for nearly 30 years has put Karl Scroggin in the company of some of classical music’s greats.

Meeting and talking to people who are as passionate about classical music as he is are among things Scroggin said he will miss when he retires March 30 as music director and host of “Classics with Karl Scroggin” on WUIS-FM (91.9), the public radio station at the University of Illinois Springfield.

“I’ve done everything I can to enlighten, inspire, to educate, to kind of pay it forward in terms of keeping classical music alive, teaching people to appreciate it, to love it, to become accustomed to it, to recognize it as an inestimable, invaluable part of our culture,” said Scroggin, 60.

Like many UIS employees who are about Scroggin’s age or who have been employed there for 30 years or more, Scroggin’s retirement decision is based in part on changes in pension calculations.

Scroggin was featured in an February 19, 2012, article in The State Journal-Register.

Read the article online

Volunteers bring print to those unable to read themselves

The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.

These are some of the publications central Illinoisans can hear through a service offered by WUIS-FM, the public radio station at the University of Illinois Springfield.

“We have about 20 volunteers who read local and national newspapers and magazines to those who have disabilities,” said Sinta Seiber-Lane, program director for WUIS-FM 91.9, a member station of National Public Radio.

Volunteers for the WUIS-WIPA Radio Information Service read publications to those who are print disabled — blind, visually impaired, learning disabled and physically disabled — 24 hours a day, seven days a week via sideband receivers and through the Internet.

“We recently started offering online services where users can access the service with a password,” Seiber-Lane said.

The service was featured in an February 8, 2012, article in The State Journal-Register.

Read the article online

Music Notes: WUIS-FM to hold sale

Local public radio station WUIS-FM (91.9) will host a music sale this weekend.

Used CDs, LPs, 45s, 78s and cassettes — and audio equipment and musical instruments — have been donated for the sale.

Most vinyl records will cost $1, and CDs will cost $2, though collectibles might be priced higher. Admission costs $5, and proceeds benefit the station. Only cash or checks will be accepted.

Existing donors can get in from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; the sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It will be in the WUIS Studios, near parking lot B on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield.

For more information, call 206-9847.

The sale was featured in an November 3, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.

Read the article online

NPR "political junkie" Ken Rudin at UIS

Ken Rudin, the political editor of NPR, said in Springfield Tuesday that enthused Republicans coupled with progressives unhappy with President Barack Obama make the next election precarious for the incumbent from Illinois.

“If the election were held today … if this were a referendum on President Obama’s re-election, I would suggest the president could very well lose,” Rudin told a midday crowd at the Public Affairs Center lobby at the University of Illinois Springfield.

But Rudin said he doesn’t expect Obama to face a serious primary challenge from within his own party, as when Ted Kennedy challenged President Jimmy Carter in 1980, and Patrick Buchanan challenged George H.W. Bush in 1992.

Rudin has a blog on NPR.org called Political Junkie. He was introduced Tuesday by Bill Wheelhouse, general manager of WUIS, the NPR station at the university.

Rudin's appearance was featured in an September 14, 2011, article in The State Journal-Register.

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UIS Chancellor is all ears

The newest University of Illinois Chancellor has been on the job for nearly a month. Susan Koch is the Vice President and Chancellor for the University of Illinois Springfield.

She tells WUIS radio's Jenna Dooley that this first month has been one long listening tour.

The interview aired on July 26, 2011.

Listen to the interview online