Randy Eccles
General Manager, NPR Illinois/ Co-Host, Community Voices/ CAB Ex-OfficioSpringfield
Please reach out at randy.eccles@nprillinois.org.
Randy Eccles became NPR Illinois general manager in 2013 after serving as development director since moving to Springfield in 2008. In 2014, Randy led the team that added Illinois Issues into the NPR Illinois portfolio and transitioned its reporting into audio/digital distribution.
Randy currently serves as the president of the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council and is a member of the Illinois Governor's Local Journalism Task Force.
Randy previously worked at KTAR in Phoenix and WGN in Chicago in programming and marketing management after producing talk shows and sports coverage. He also served in management and news stints at student-run stations WHFH, WONC, and WUEV. Born in Hinsdale, he was raised by teachers in south suburban Glenwood and spent a lot of time at the family farm in Industry, Illinois (south of Macomb).
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With the shrinking media landscape, many communities are underrepresented in the media. To hear from these communities, NPR Illinois hosts an event called LISTEN. The Petersburg, Ill. community was chosen for the March LISTEN event and with the help of Broadgauge, a local restaurant and event space, NPR Illinois spoke to several area residents and learned about the joys, challenges and media usage in the community. Community Voices co-hosts Vanessa Ferguson and Randy Eccles listen back to the event recording and provide analysis of the topics discussed. LISTEN in Petersburg was funded by a grant from the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln.
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Daniel Donato relates how he started in Nashville and interprets music into Cosmic Country. He currently is on the national Americana charts and plays Danenberger Family Vineyards March 23, 2024.
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The second of two special Citizens Club of Springfield forums with area residents sharing their experiences moving to Springfield after starting in another country along with a brief history of immigration policy.
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Steve Drummond and Janet Woojeong Lee from NPR's Education Desk join Community Voices to discuss the opportunity of NPR's 2024 Student Podcast Challenge including past winners and tips for entries.
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Randy Hultgren, president and CEO, Illinois Bankers Association, shared how financial literacy can make navigating the current economy safer. He also reflects on his time as a U.S. and Illinois state representative and the challenges of today's political partisanship. He is enjoying the move from the Chicago suburbs to Springfield for his current position.
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A special Citizens Club of Springfield series with area residents sharing their experiences moving to Springfield after starting in another country.
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Local Drags is Lanny Durbin's creative local music project. Listen to the interview to hear what is on the horizon.
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Available to stream through Feb. 17, 2024. The X plays many of the 2023 Grammy nominees. Here's a chance to hear the well known and those that may not be featured at the awards show. Make a request at TheX@nprillinois.org.
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Doris Turner, Illinois State Senator; and Mike Coffey, Illinois State Representative discuss how legislative work impacts the capital and central Illinois in their appearance before the Citizens Club of Springfield.
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Bobby Carter, NPR Tiny Desk Concert producer, provides tips to encourage central Illinois musicians to enter the 2024 Tiny Desk Contest. Carter is also a judge.