WASHINGTON, D.C. (WMBD) – Illinois’ senior U.S. Senator and Democratic Whip, Dick Durbin, met with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on Wednesday on the impacts of the Rescissions Act of 2025, or the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’
The bill rescinded $1.1 billion in previously appropriated funding for the more than 1,500 local media outlets that rely on CPB, which includes WTVP and WCBU in Peoria and WGLT in Normal.
Soon after the passage of the rescissions plan in July, CPB announced it was taking steps toward a formal shutdown.
“I sounded the alarm that these rescissions would devastate communities across the country, but especially rural areas that rely on public TV and radio for localized news, educational programming, and emergency alert services,” Durbin said.
The long-serving senator, who is retiring at the end of his term, said he implored his colleagues to restore the funding, “which has long enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support.”
Since being defunded, some public media organizations have seen staff lay-offs, ended local programming and relinquished their memberships to national distributors such as PBS and NPR.
That has not been the case with the Peoria and Normal stations. Both public media organizations have reiterated their commitment to the community and redoubled their fundraising efforts.
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