Blog

Our series "Life on Route 150" has been exploring life in cities, small towns, and on farms during the month of June. The highway has served as a guide of sorts, leading us from Edgar and Vermilion counties along the border with Indiana to points west, including Champaign, Piatt, and McLean counties. We've been to food pantries, churches, police departments, parks, and more, reporting on struggles and successes.

This week Illinois Public Media's Dave Dickey reports on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps) and why some people who are eligible for this assistance aren't signing up for it. Dave's report airs Monday on "Morning Edition" and Tuesday on "The Afternoon Magazine." The next story in the series is reported by Pam Dempsey of CU-CitizenAccess. It looks at how, in spite of the recession and rising housing vacancy rates, coummunities are working to maintain the quality of life in their neighborhoods. It will air Wednesday on "Morning Edition" and Thursday on "The Afternoon Magazine."

Many of these stories grew directly from our community conversations. Illinois Public Media staff have convened, or asked others to convene these conversations. We come with a couple of questions to open the discussion, then listen. What we learn helps us report stories that illustrate and illuminate the issues that are important to the audiences we serve on radio, on television, and online. While the "Life on Route 150" series is drawing to a close, the conversations will continue. We're certain they'll continue to present us with more stories to share with you.

All the best,

Celeste