The Illinois Radio Reader Service

A free radio service for the blind and visually impaired community of east central Illinois.

59 East Armory Champaign, IL 61820
217-333-6503
Director Deane Geiken (email)

The Illinois Radio Reader is a free radio service for the blind and visually impaired community of east central Illinois. More than 560 listeners are kept up-to-date on world, national, state and local news via a special radio receiver. The service depends on more than 70 volunteer readers, who produce some 80 hours of local programming each week. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call 217-333-6503.

What does IRR broadcast?

A free program guide is available by contacting IRR. The following newspapers are presented every weekday:

• Wall Street Journal
• Decatur Herald & Review
• Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph
• Champaign-Urbana News Gazette
• Christian Science Monitor
• Vermilion Co. editon of the News-Gazette
• Local and area advertisements
• The Paxton Record, Mahomet Citizen, Piatt County Journal Republican, and Rantoul Press are presented weekly.
• Books, cooking programs, medical programs senior citizen features, entertainment programming.
• Talking Information Center Network, with its coverage of popular magazines.

How does the service work?

IRR broadcasts on a subcarrier signal provided by WILL-FM. Broadcasts can be heard only by obtaining special radio receivers, offered free of charge to qualified recipients. IRR depends on a staff of volunteers to read the newspapers, magazines and books that are broadcast.

How do you qualify for a free receiver?

Anyone who has a visual or physical disability which impairs his or her ability to read may be eligible to obtain a special radio. Contact the IRR at 217-333-6503.