“Stranded by the State,” a two-part documentary by Illinois Public Media focusing on the long-term toll the Illinois budget crisis has had on everyday people statewide, will begin broadcasting on public television stations Feb. 14, the day before Gov. Bruce Rauner’s state budget address. WILL-TV in Urbana-Champaign and WEIU-TV in Charleston will air the documentary from 7-8 p.m. on that date. Other public television stations statewide will air the documentary at later dates.
Illinois has not passed a budget in more than a year, and the stalemate has proved to be the longest period that any state in the nation has operated without a budget since the Great Depression.
“There's been plenty of coverage of the politics behind the budget stalemate in Springfield, but not enough on the impact to families and communities,” said Moss Bresnahan, CEO and president of Illinois Public Media. “As Illinois starts its 20th month without a full budget, this special reveals what the crisis means for ordinary citizens all around the state."
“Stranded by the State” was created by Kartemquin, the Chicago-based nonprofit documentary production collaborative behind 50 years of classic documentaries such as “Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters.” It was produced, directed and edited by Kartemquin associate Liz Kaar.
More information is available at www.StrandedIllinois.com. The hashtag for the documentary is #StrandedIL.