WSIU Public Broadcasting, the public media arm of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Jackson County, St. Clair County, Adams County and McDonough County to present "Meet the Candidates," a new television series introducing the public to the candidates running for Illinois legislative House and Senate races.
"Meet the Candidates" will air at 7 p.m. on Thursdays from April 14 to June 16. The half-hour programs will feature interviews and forums with candidates who will discuss key issues affecting Illinois voters such as the economy, the environment, education and public health. The series will focus exclusively on candidates running for office in central/southern Illinois.
Episodes one and two, scheduled for April 14, will highlight Republican House primary races featuring Rep. Patrick Windhorst and Ron Ellis (117th) and Rep. Paul Jacobs and Aaron Smith (118th).
Tune in on April 21 to hear from state Sen. Dale Fowler, unopposed in the GOP primary for Senate District 59 and state Sen. Terri Bryant, unopposed in the GOP primary Senate District 58.
Episodes will air on the WSIU TV stations (WSIU 8.1, WUSI 16.1, WSEC 14.1, WQEC 27.1 & WMEC 22.1) and be available to stream online the following day at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/bYMRCZ6XKDf7EvAPsz37cO?domain=pbs.org<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/JUSuC1w7ozu61gxnuG8Jv1?domain=pbs.org> and on YouTube<https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/vy6FC2kJpAUVvrWKhBoIQn?domain=youtube.com>. A full list of episodes will be available online at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/StPPC31Jq0UXw3o7SDU8HH?domain=news.wsiu.org.
WSIU has a long history of bringing voters in-depth coverage of the issues facing this region, along with interviews, debates, and forums aimed at bringing those voters together with policymakers to talk about solutions. While this program will be essential for many central/southern Illinois voters, it will be especially relevant for voters impacted by recent changes to Illinois' legislative and congressional districts. These forums will help voters learn who is running in their area, and what their top priorities are.
"Information -- particularly direct information from the candidates themselves -- is critical for voters to understand the choice they have," says Jennifer Fuller, WSIU's Associate Director for News and Public Affairs.
"In addition to a fast-paced, changing political landscape, candidates are in some cases introducing themselves to new voters. This series of candidate forums, along with our partnership with the League of Women Voters, is another step in making sure we continue to have an informed electorate heading into the voting booth on June 28," she adds.
