HR0409 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0409 LRB097 12119 KXB 56118 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, A significant milestone is being reached in 2011 as "Illinois Lawmakers", the State's longest-running public affairs television program, enters its second quarter century; and

WHEREAS, "Illinois Lawmakers" developed a widely respected reputation for its even-handed approach to interviews, it's reportage of complex State issues, and live coverage of gubernatorial budget and State of the State addresses; and

WHEREAS, "Illinois Lawmakers" became a unique venture for the State's 11 public television stations which forged the programming idea shortly after acquiring a mobile satellite truck and bringing it to Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Top billing for organizing the venture is properly given to veteran Executive Producer Marty McLaughlin of WTTW-TV, who used his years of media experience and political savvy to launch "Illinois Lawmakers"; and

WHEREAS, Credit must be given to award-winning broadcasters Bruce DuMont and Jak Tichenor, who served as the program's chief anchors; and

WHEREAS, Bruce DuMont has gone on to create the Museum of Broadcasting; Jak Tichenor was honored in 2006, when he was named a recipient of the prestigious Sturgis Award at SIU-Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Sharing the distinction of serving viewers for the full run of the show is Bill Baker of WTVP-TV Peoria, who helped provide the show with its first-class production crew; and

WHEREAS, Their work was guided by John Eisenhour of WEIU-TV Charleston; and

WHEREAS, Many veteran journalists, including Mary Frances Fagan, Peggy Boyer-Long, Rich Miller, Bernie Schoenberg, Sean Crawford, and Bill Wheelhouse, all contributed quality reporting to "Illinois Lawmakers"; and

WHEREAS, These distinctive broadcasts were recognized by the Association of America's Public Television Stations for innovative public affair programming, a Keystone Program Award from the Central Educational Network, and four regional Emmy nominations; and

WHEREAS, This joint effort produced more than 300 broadcasts, which allowed legislators to go beyond sound bites to explain their legislation and express their opinions and views, thereby sharing with voters and taxpayers solid information on how government works; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank the entire "Illinois Lawmakers" team and congratulate them for 25 years of broadcasting excellence; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the "Illinois Lawmakers" team as a symbol of our respect and esteem.