John Paul, often known as “JP,” is a veteran Illinois TV broadcaster and journalism instructor with more than 40 years of experience. John’s interest in journalism started as a teenager delivering newspapers in his hometown of Peoria. He attended the University and worked as a reporter and anchor at the college radio station, WPGU while earning his degrees in Radio-and-Television and a master’s in journalism. He was hired at WCIA-TV in Champaign right out of college as a reporter and weekend anchor. He rose through the ranks to become producer, executive producer, elections producer and eventually, news director. After nearly 25 years at WCIA, he worked eight years at WILL-TV in Urbana as a producer, show host, debate moderator and documentarian. John was hired as a  journalism lecturer at the University in 1997. He has taught classes in newscast production, TV storytelling, reporting, broadcast voice, sports journalism and some graduate level classes. In his two decades as a teacher, his college students consistently rated him among the “excellent instructors” on the campus. He served on the board of directors for the Illini Media Company. John has been a member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association since 1974. He was chair and co-chair of the Mid-America Emmys Board of Governors education committee for 11 years. John was nominated for an Emmy in 2009 as co-producer of a historical documentary titled “True illini Spirit” about the history of Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois. John is married and has two adult children. He retired in 2018.

This bio was written at the time of John Paul inauguration into the 2021 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-America Chapter Silver Circle.