Radio Information Service Illinois State Library

Thanks to a grant from the Illinois State Library, thousands of Illinois residents are able to use the Radio Information Service (RIS) each day to listen to broadcasts of local news. These programs are broadcast on a special radio called a sideband receiver. These receivers are distributed at no cost to qualified recipients. Anyone who has a visual or physical disability which impairs his or her ability to read may be eligible to obtain a special radio.

Many informational service programs are broadcast daily and include hours of local programming. Local newspapers are read and usually include pieces of news that may not generally be heard on the television news broadcasts. A variety of topics are available including comics, grocery ads and obituaries. RIS also produces public affairs programs and listener call-in shows. A directory of radio stations and organizations that offer RIS is provided below.

Directory of Illinois Radio Information Service Organizations

Augustana Public Radio Information Service (APRIS)
Augustana College
639 38th St.
Rock Island, IL 61201
309−794−7560

• Augustana Public Radio Information Service Website

Chicagoland Radio Information Service (CRIS Radio)
Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind
1850 West Roosevelt Rd.
Chicago, IL 60608-1298
312−666−1331

• Chicagoland Radio Information Service Website

Illinois Radio Reader (WILL)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
300 N. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801
217−333−7300

• Illinois Radio Reader (WILL) Website

Lewis and Clark Radio Information Service (WLCA)
Lewis and Clark Community College
5800 Godfrey Rd.
Godfrey, IL 62035
618−468−4940

• WLCA Website

MindsEye
9541 Church Circle Drive
Belleville, IL 62223-1000
618−394−6444

• Minds Eye Information Service Website

Northern Illinois Radio Information Service (NIRIS)
Broadcast Center
801 N. First St.
DeKalb, IL 60115
815−753−9000

• Northern Illinois Radio Information Service Website

Southern Illinois Radio Information Service (SIRIS)
Southern Illinois University
1003 Communications Bldg.
1100 Lincoln Dr. Mailcode 6602 Carbondale, IL 62901
618−453−4344

• Southern Illinois Radio Information Service Website

Tri-States Audio Information Services (WIUM/WIUW)
Western Illinois University
320 W. University Dr.
Macomb, IL 61455
800−895−2912

• Tri-States Audio Information (WIUM/WIUW) Website (WVJC)

Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service
Wabash Valley College
2200 College Dr.
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
618−262−8641 ext. 3574

• Wabash Valley College Radio Information Service Website