an association of radio information services for people who are print disabled

The Illinois Radio Information Services (IRIS) provide news and information programs to people who are print disabled (blind, visually impaired, learning disabled and physically disabled). Programming includes local, regional and national newspapers. Many services provide additional programming such as current magazines and interview shows. Each service has its own program guide; call your local service center for a copy of its program guide. Listeners hear radio information programs on a special radio called a sideband receiver. The receivers are distributed at no cost to qualified recipients. Each service relies on volunteers to read and record programs. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact your area radio information service. All IRIS members receive financial support from the Illinois State Library. Many get additional revenue from local civic organizations, listeners and volunteers.

Illinois Radio Information Service centers by location. (Centers may serve all or part of the counties listed.)

BELLEVILLE

Radio Information Service of Belleville
9541 Church Circle Drive
Belleville, Il 62223
(618) 397-6700

Counties: Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Pike, Perry, Randolph, St. Clair.

CARBONDALE

Southern Illinois Radio Information Service/WSIU-RIS
PO Box 1056
Carbondale, IL 62903-1056
(618) 549-5604

Counties: Alexander, Clinton, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, St. Clair, Saline, Union, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson.

CHAMPAIGN

Illinois Radio Reader /WILL-RIS
59 East Armory
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-6503

Counties: Champaign, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Mason, McLean, Menard, Moultrie, Piatt, Sangamon, Shelby, Tazewell, Vermillion, Woodford.

CHICAGO

Chicagoland Radio Information Service
Cultural Center Pedway
77 East Randolph
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 541-8400

Counties: Cook, Du Page, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, Will.

DEKALB/ROCKFORD

Northern Illinois Radio Information Service
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 753-9000 (815) 961-8000

Counties: Boone, Bureau, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, Du Page, Jo Daviess, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago.

GODFREY

Lewis & Clark Reading Service
5800 Godfrey Road
Godfrey, IL 62035
(618) 468-4940

Counties: Calhoun, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, St. Clair.

MACOMB

Radio Information Service of West Central Illinois/ WIUM-RIS
504 Memorial Hall
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
(309) 298-2403

Counties: Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, Mason, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, Warren.

MT. CARMEL

WVJC-Radio Information Service
Wabash Valley College
2200 College Drive
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
(618) 262-8641, ext 3219

Counties: Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, White.

PEORIA

WCBU-Radio Information Service
Bradley University
1501 Bradley
Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 677-3585

Counties: DeWitt, Fulton, Knox, Logan, Marshall, Mason, Menard, Peoria, Stark, Tazewell, Woodford.

ROCK ISLAND

WVIK Augustana Public Radio Reading Service
Augustana College
639 38^th St.
Rock Island, IL 61201
(309) 794-7500

Counties: Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Knox, Mercer, Rock Island, Stark, Whiteside.

SPRINGFIELD/PITTSFIELD

WUIS/WIPA-Radio Information Service
Sangamon State University
Springfield, IL 62794-9243
(217) 786-6516

Counties: Cass, Christian, Logan, Macon, Mason, Macoupin, Menard, McLean, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Sangamon, Shelby, Tazewell.

Updated: April 23, 2002.   LaRae Muselman

Return to Illinois Disability Resources