FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 3, 2026 

Contact Information:  
Jenn Gordon, WTVP CEO and President 
Jenn.gordon@wtvp.org, 309-645-0201 

2026 Illinois U.S. Senate Primary Forums to Air on February 26 

Peoria, IL – WTVP PBS, the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria (LWVGP) and the League of Women Voters of Illinois are proud to present two candidate forums for the open U.S. Senate seat for Illinois. The Republican and Democratic candidate forums will each last approximately one hour. The forums will air back-to-back on WTVP-HD PBS (television channel 47.1) on February 26 from 7 - 9 p.m. and will be available to stream on demand at https://video.wtvp.org/and on the PBS app. The forums will be broadcast simultaneously on local radio NPR affiliates WCBU 89.9 and WGLT 89.1. Additionally, the programs will be available to PBS and NPR stations throughout Illinois for broadcast. 

Three candidates from each party have confirmed participation, including Don Tracy (R), Casey Chlebek (R), Denise Long (R), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D), Juliana Stratton (D) and Robin Kelly (D).  

The LWVGP invited candidates to participate based on their fundraising amounts in the Federal Election Commission campaign disclosures filed October 15, 2025, for the period ending September 30, 2025; as well as evidence of an active campaign, as determined by having a website. 

The forums will be pre-recorded and filmed on-site at the WTVP Studio. Mark Welp, host of WTVP’s At Issue, will moderate along with LWVGP president, Chris Kaergard.  

Regarding the collaboration, Chris Kaergard notes, “These forums are essential to keeping voters informed. We appreciate partnering with WTVP PBS to help people across Illinois hear directly from candidates on key issues.” 

The public is encouraged to submit their questions for the candidates through the following LWVGP form: https://forms.gle/WaSo6Z39xQMMfrGJ6.  

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Illinois Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation (WTVP PBS) is a nonprofit, community-owned public media source dedicated to connecting and inspiring our communities through quality content that educates, informs and entertains. WTVP serves as the primary PBS affiliate station for 17 counties in central Illinois, annually broadcasting over 35,000 hours of commercial-free content across four unique channels. Learn more at www.wtvp.org.   

 
The League of Women Voters of GreaterPeoria encourages informed and active participation in government and works to influence public policy through education and advocacy. The LWV is nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates for elected office but does act on issues after member study and consensus. Any person, 16 or older, male or female, may join. Learn more at www.lwvgp.org  

The League of Women Voters of Illinois is a nonpartisan organization that works to protect fair elections and increase civic engagement. We endeavor to influence public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more at https://www.lwvil.org/