Rich Bradley started his life-long career in radio while still in college in the early 1960s, and in 1974 helped create a public radio station at Sangamon State University (renamed the University of Illinois - Springfield in 1995). He served as the news director for the NPR affiliated station for thirty years, and is considered the father of the Illinois Public Radio Network. During his tenure, he covered the administrations of four governors, from Gov. Jim Thompson through Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Interview Links
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Early life and entry into radio
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
Formation of WSSR/WUIS, an NPR affiliate
Interview Session 03 (Audio)
Formation of IL Public Radio Network and history of UIS
Interview Session 04 (Audio)
Gov. Jim Thompson Administration
Interview Session 05 (Audio)
Gov. Jim Edgar administration
Interview Session 06 (Audio)
Gov. George Ryan Administration
Interview Session 07 (Audio)
Gov. Rod Blagojevich administration
Transcript
Photos
Caption
Rich Bradley, as he appeared in the 1973-1974 edition of the Illinois Blue Book. Rich worked in the Illinois State Capitol press room for the Illinois News Network.
Where:
Illinois Blue Book, 73-74
When:
1973-1974
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Rich Bradley, as he appeared in the 1975-1976 edition of the Illinois Blue Book. He now worked in the Capitol pressroom for WSSR-Radio.
Where:
Illinois Blue Book, 75-76
When:
1975-1976
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Rich Bradley, as he appeared in the 1981-1982 edition of the Illinois Blue Book. He worked in the Illinois State Capitol press room for WSSR-Radio.
Where:
Illinois Blue Book, 81-82
When:
1981-1982
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Rich Bradley, circa 1985, training a student reporter on the operation of the news studio’s broadcast equipment.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Circa 1985
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Rich Bradley, in 2009, with Nick Zyznieuski, a Springfield High School Senior, getting ready to record his essay in the annual “This I Believe” series on WUIS.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2009
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Rich Bradley takes a break during the broadcast of a WUIS newscast in 2007.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2007
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Rich Bradley, 2008, takes a telephone call from WUIS’s Statehouse Bureau.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2008
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Rich Bradley, 2009, anchoring a WUIS newscast, during the broadcast of NPR’s Morning Edition. The photo was taken during Bradley’s last week on the air, prior to his retirement on October 1, 2009.
Where:
Unknown
When:
2009
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.