The following story was published by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier on July 23, 2025.

"Randy Eccles, general manager for NPR Illinois in Springfield, said that about 12% of its annual funding is from the federal government. The radio station, formally WUIS 91.9 FM, broadcasts out of the University of Illinois-Springfield campus and maintains satellite station WIPA 89.3 FM in Pittsfield."

"The 12% in federal funds translates to about $200,000-$250,000 each year, Eccles said, but that won't be the only funds the station loses out on. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting also pays for the music license and an interconnection system that allows stations to share and receive programming and emergency alerts, he said."

"If NPR Illinois isn't able to make up those lost funds, cuts will not come from staff because it already is operating with "the most minimal staff we can," Eccles said. It instead will weigh whether or not it can play music anymore, despite maintaining two music subchannels, as well as whether or not it would keep WIPA open. The latter would pose a particular risk for rural listeners because emergency broadcasts during events like the June 2023 derecho can penetrate places where broadband internet has yet to reach, he said."