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Published on Sunday, 17 April 2011 09:04
Chicago Public Media's WBEZ-FM was one of three public radio stations in Illinois to have been awarded federal grants. The money is to be used for upgrades to digital conversion and modernization of the stations.
The other two Illinois radio stations who are being awarded grants are WCBU-FM in Peoria and Tri-States Public Radio WIUM-FM/WIUW-FM in Macomb. Together, the Chicago, Peoria and Macomb stations will share $206,861.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting approved the funding last week. Illinois' U.S. Senator Dick Durbin announced the grants on Friday.
Durbin said on Friday: "In my state of Illinois, 1 million people listen to our 14 public radio stations each week and 3 million people each month tune into our 8 public television stations. With the momentous changes occurring in the world, and the major challenges facing our Nation, it is essential we maintain the integrity and viability of public broadcasting."
Since 2001, Congress has approved approximately $350 million for modernization of the country's public television and radio stations. The upgrading from analog broadcasts to digital will help provide higher quality audio, as well as higher quality services provided by public radio stations.
