WYCC political videos spark investigation, lawsuit

What's wrong with this? Public school, public tv, right?

I think the killer is that money was used for programs that seem never intended to be aired.

i so hope they get "aired." Can't wait to watch some of them. Can we schedule a public time and place? So we get our money's worth? Perhaps project them on a big wall? I will bring the popcorn.

that would be awesome. so you cut one of watson's friends a fat campaign check, get the videos, then we can air them in the park

That FOIA request is the gift that keeps on giving, eh? Great story, Peter, Frank et al.

Several questions I have as someone who's not so up on the City colleges:

1. WYCC...does it stand for something?
2. What does the Illinois Arts Council have to do with this?
3. What WERE the videos used for if they weren't aired. It's implied that they were sent off to these politico types, but i don't see it explicitly stated what they were meant for. Private parties?
4. What is a Chancellor? What's the one at the City Colleges in charge of?
5. Why do the city colleges have their own PBS station? What all do they do and where are their program shown?

Good questions Brad. We're working on a follow up right now. Peter's off getting married in Oregon, but I'll see if I can't get an editor over here to answer some of these questions.

Brad:

To the best of my knowledge, WYCC doesn't stand for anything -- it's the station call letters.

The Arts Council funds WYCC.

The lawsuit says the videos were distributed to friends of the chancellor.

The chancellor is the chief executive at the City Colleges.

Programming appears on Channel 20. It's not uncommon for an educational institution to have a public broadcasting outlet. Think college radio.

Thanks, Geoff. Congrats on the scoop. We look forward to the follow up and eventual statements from these folks.

1. WYCC = Where Your Cash Counts ( there was an extra "C" in there for "Campaign" but that was too obvious)
2. ?
3. I'm guessing B-roll. Pols kiss babies at parties. And shake a lot of hands.
4. A nice title.
5. ?