IL SR1023

Illinois Senate mourns the death of James "Jim" G. Turpin, who passed away on April 10, 2022, after serving as the "Voice of the Illini" from 1960-2002 and hosting the WDWS "Penny for Your Thoughts" radio call-in show.

Turpin was born February 26, 1932, in Olney, graduated from East Richland High School in 1950, earned a radio-television journalism degree from the University of Illinois in 1961, and served in the Armed Forces Radio and Television division in South Korea and Japan from 1953.

Turpin worked as a broadcast announcer for University of Illinois and high school sports, served as vice president and general manager of WDWS/WHMS radio in Champaign, and held leadership positions with various Illinois organizations including the Illinois Oil Council and Sangamon State University.

Turpin received multiple professional honors including the Illinois Broadcasters Association Broadcast Pioneer Award, induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the 2001 Chamber of Commerce "Most Valuable Citizen" award, and lifetime press credentials for all University of Illinois athletic events.

Turpin is survived by three children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandsons, and two sisters; he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Louise.