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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, WILL-AM, then known as WRM, broadcast for the
3first time on April 6, 1922 from the University of Illinois
4Electrical Engineering Laboratory in Urbana; and
 
5    WHEREAS, From the beginning, the station used the
6innovative power and reach of new technology to educate,
7inspire, and connect Illinoisans; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Illinois Public Media, as a media organization,
9has a long history of enriching the State through the arts and
10classical music, even hosting its own chamber orchestra, the
11WILL Sinfonietta, in 1937; and
 
12    WHEREAS, From its very first broadcast, WILL-AM has upheld
13the mission of a land-grant university by providing essential
14information to the agricultural community, which continues to
15this day with daily programming and podcasts; and
 
16    WHEREAS, WILL-FM signed on with the first FM license
17awarded to a university in 1941; and
 
18    WHEREAS, WILL hosted the Allerton Conference for the
19National Association of Educational Broadcasters in 1948,
20which later began delivering programs to noncommercial radio

 

 

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1stations across the country, becoming the forerunner of NPR
2and PBS; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Mister Rogers Neighborhood debuted on WILL-TV in
41968; the show, along with Sesame Street and local children's
5shows such as Stories 'n' Stuff, helped build the important
6educational impact that Illinois Public Media continues to
7provide to children today; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Illinois Public Media continues a rich tradition
9of state-focused, locally-hosted news programs with The 21st
10radio talk show, which brings listeners the news, culture, and
11stories that matter to a statewide audience; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Illinois Public Media produces award-winning
13local programming on WILL-TV, WILL-AM, and WILL-FM, focused on
14news, arts, and the unique history and culture of our State;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, Today, Illinois Public Media has donors in every
17region of the State as well as a global audience; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Illinois Public Media has been an integral part
19of the community for 100 years, providing free services to
20all, and, to this day, remains focused on using the power of
21public media to educate, inform, and inspire the people of

 

 

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1Illinois; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Illinois Public Media will celebrate the 100th
3anniversary of WILL-AM on April 6, 2022; therefore, be it
 
4    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
5HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6we declare April 6, 2022 as Illinois Public Media Day in the
7State of Illinois in celebration of WILL's 100-year history
8and its profound impact on the community; and be it further
 
9    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
10presented to Illinois Public Media with our sincere
11appreciation for their efforts.