TV stations in Illinois

Illinois has 89 licensed TV transmitters: 46 full-power, 11 Class A, 29 low-power and 3 translator stations. Translators make up 3% of the total, below the national share of 41%, a sign that most people live within reach of the main towers.

Most full-power and Class A stations are licensed to Chicago (13), Peoria (4), Springfield (3) and Rockford (3). Those cities are where the main broadcast hubs sit, and most viewers aim their antennas toward one of them.

The most powerful full-power transmitter in Illinois is WICD (ABC) in Champaign, at 1,000 kW effective radiated power. The tallest is WLS-TV near Chicago, 518 m (1,700 ft) above the surrounding terrain.

We ran a reception estimate for all 766 cities and towns in Illinois. A typical place gets 17 stations at fair strength or better (national median: 17), and its nearest major network tower is about 24 miles away. 28% of places can use an indoor antenna, 54% need an amplified or attic antenna, 18% an outdoor directional antenna and 0% a long-range setup.

Weighted by population, the share of residents with a listed affiliate at fair strength or better is: ABC 99%, CBS 96%, NBC 98% and Fox 99%.

Highland Park has the most stations in reach (33). Flora is the hardest place to get network TV over the air: its nearest major network tower is 70 miles away.