A.J. Bayatpour - Vermilion County Bureau Chief

A.J. Bayatpour joined the NewsChannel 15 team as a reporter and photographer in December 2008. He serves primarily as the bureau reporter for Vermilion County. He lives in Danville and looks forward to seeing all the County has to offer.

A.J. came to East Central Illinois after reporting both news and sports at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri. A.J. grew up in Skokie, which borders Chicago to the north and is one of America's most diverse communities. He developed a blue-collar work ethic from his mom who grew up on Chicago's South Side. Throughout high school, he was a hot dog vendor at both Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular Field. A.J. earned his Bachelor's Degree in Radio and T.V. Journalism from the University of Missouri. As a Tiger, he's still adjusting to supporting the Illini...even though he's from Illinois! When not reporting, you can find A.J. playing or watching sports (Bears, Cubs, 'Hawks, and Bulls!), attempting to cook, and listening to a wide variety of music.

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James Fillmore - Reporter / Photographer

James Fillmore joined the WICD news team as a reporter/photographer. He came to East Central Illinois from Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 2008 he graduated from Central Michigan University with a degree in journalism.

James started his professional career at WJFW in Rhinelander, WI as a morning news anchor and reporter. He plans to continue his education at U of I, so he is very happy to call Champaign-Urbana home.

In his spare time, James enjoys working out, running, playing with his dog, Luigi, volunteering and meeting new people. Please feel free to email James with any story ideas or just to say hi.

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Marine Glisovic - Reporter

Marine Glisovic joined the WICD news team as a reporter/photographer in September 2011. She comes to us from Plainfield, Illinois, a Chicago suburb.

Marine graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois, where she majored in Journalism, concentrating on Broadcast News.

Before joining WICD, Marine worked at a PBS-affiliated station, WEIU-TV. It was there she was able to gain the experience of reporting,photography, anchoring, and producing for 16 counties in east central Illinois.Marine worked on all three shows, which won WEIU News Watch three Mid-America EMMY Awards.

Marine is fluent in French, after spending her childhood growing up in Paris, France. She still has family overseas, and enjoys taking trips to visit when time allows. The last time she visited Europe was back in summer 2008, when she studied abroad in the Netherlands.

She is proud to continue calling central Illinois her home,and cant wait to meet more interesting folks in the community.

If Marine isn't reporting the latest news, you can find her reading, cooking, jogging through town and shopping!

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Heather Hubbs - Reporter

Heather has been a member of the WICD/WICS news team since 2008. In that time she's traveled all over central Illinois covering everything from education to politics.

Heather is no stranger to the Midwest; she was born in St. Louis, raised in southeast Iowa, and graduated from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She began her broadcasting career at KTVO in Kirksville, Missouri where she worked her way up to weekend anchor, producer and reporter covering news in Northeast Missouri and Southeast Iowa.

Now Heather is proud to call Springfield home. When not working you may spot her out on the bike trails or on the stage of the Hoogland.

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Katy Kramer - Weather Anchor

After spending some time in the South, Katy is thrilled to be back in the Midwest. Katy joined the ABC News Channel 15 Storm Team in August of 2011 as the morning Meteorologist.

Katy grew up in Indianapolis, IN, and graduated from Indiana University, where she majored in Geography, concentrating in Atmospheric Science with a minor in Telecommunications. During her sophomore year at IU she received a prestigious award for academic excellence in Weather and Climate, and knew from there, that's what she wanted to do. 

Before arriving in East Central Illinois, Katy worked in Columbia, SC where she forecast hurricanes, snow and ice storms, tornadoes and droughts. She saw it all in the South, but being back in the Midwest to track tornadoes and thunderstorms is her true passion.

When Katy's not keeping you informed on the latest weather, you'll find her on the lake or at a concert during the summer and snowboarding or snowmobiling during the winter. She's also enjoys reading, writing and shopping!

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Mike Lederer - Reporter

Liz Lohuis - Reporter / Photographer

Liz Lohuis joined the WICD news team as a reporter/photographer in December 2010.  She comes to us from Green Bay, Wisconsin where she lived most of her life before attending college at UW Oshkosh.  There she graduated with a bachelors of science degree in Radio/TV/Film.

Liz began her career at WLUK in Green Bay where she worked for four and half years, eventually as a producer for the top rated morning show in the area, and a reporter.

In her spare time Liz enjoys singing and playing guitar, country music being her favorite genre.  She also enjoys running and spending time with her family when she can get back to Green Bay.

Liz is always looking for story ideas so feel free to email her.

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Doug Quick - Weather Anchor

Doug Quick is ABC NewsChannel 15's Chief Weather Anchor, and as is a part of the 5, 6 and 10pm newscasts.

Doug's broadcasting career began in 1974 from his original hometown of Taylorville on WTIM/WTIM-FM. It was at Western Illinois University he had the opportunity to co-anchor the local newscast on the WIU cablecast television station. He also worked at radio stations in Springfield and Decatur. In 1977 he ended up in Danville at WDAN/WMBJ. During his long tenure at WDAN/WDNL he was at times the morning announcer on both stations, was an account executive, Sales Manger and General Manager. He was also the first Station Manager of WWDZ(FM) in Danville, now WRHK(K-Rock). He finished his radio career as the midday announcer at D-102 in 2002 at the 25^th anniversary of the station.

Earlier in 1994, Doug took on the position of Promotions Director at WICD-TV. It was in the early days he became a part time weekend weathercaster. In July of 1998 he left promotions entirely to become the morning weather anchor and co-anchor to Sunrise Today. He also became the anchor of the midday news broadcast while continuing his radio career at the same time. He also serves as the stations Public Service Director, a position he has held since he began at WICD. He produces the local Community Calendar announcements as well as Spotlight 15 announcements, and maintains the Community activities on wicd15.com. In October of 2002 he became the Chief Weather Anchor, and moved to the evening broadcasts, where he continues today.

His outside activities include the Vermilion County Conservation District Foundation where he is a member of the Board of Directors. Doug has spoken before many civic groups, students at all grade levels who are considering broadcasting as a career, broadcast history, weather or the VCCDF.

He maintains a website at http://www.dougquick.com which includes an extensive history of central Illinois radio and TV broadcasting as well as information about the analog-to-digital transition of local TV stations. Among his research projects for the website is the history of WICD. He also is an avid classic movie fan, classic TV fan, satellite TV and radio and has his own audio/video editing suite at home.

Doug is a proud resident of Vermilion County and lives north of Danville, with his wife of 31 years, Melissa. They are also the parents of two adult daughters, Miranda and Mindi.

Please send Doug your comments or suggestions.

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Kate Springer - Anchor

Kate Springer anchors Sunrise this Morning weekday mornings from 5am to 7am. Kate joined the ABC NewsChannel15 team in May 2009 as a reporter, before making the move to mornings in December 2010. 

Prior to joining WICD, Kate worked as a reporter in Sioux City, Iowa, where she covered the tri-state area of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. She earned a bachelors degree from the Missouri School of Journalism,where she began her career at the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri as a reporter and anchor for KOMU-TV.

Growing up Kate was drawn to meeting new people and current events. With parents in the theater, Kate started out on the stage but quickly discovered the small screen was where she belonged.  Outside of work, Kate loves catching up with friends and family,watching Mizzou sports, traveling and catching local theater productions.

Kate welcomes your story ideas, so feel free to email her.

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