Elitsa Bizios - Anchor

Elitsa Bizios joined WICD in September 2011 as a Reporter/Anchor. She is originally from Illinois. Elitsa is the oldest of four girls and is proud to say her parents immigrated to America from Greece. Elitsa got her television start in 2005 at the Naperville Community Television station, where she was a reporter, producer and documentarian. In 2009, Elitsa ventured to the East coast to work as a reporter and weekend anchor at WCTI, NewsChannel 12. Since Elitsa is a true Midwest gal, and loves to be near her big Greek family, she made her way back home to write and produce a documentary (Dick Locher, The Man Behind the Ink) about the man behind the world famous crime fighting hero, Dick Tracy. She continues to work as a website producer (richardroeper.com) for movie critic Richard Roeper. On any given day you can find Elitsa hunting down her latest story, taking a jog, or spending time with her adorable pup Leonidas.

Mike Brooks - Reporter

Mike Brooks has been with the ABC News Channel 15 team since 2008,starting out as a part-time news photographer, and now a full time reporter. He has done a little bit of everything here, from operating satellite and microwave trucks to running newsroom shots, and now is spending more time in front of the camera.

Born and raised in central Illinois, Mike graduated from Tri-City High School in Buffalo (go Tornadoes!), then headed to the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign, where he cemented his love for the Fighting Illini,and met his wonderful wife Jodie. Now the two live back home on the Brooks family farm, with a herd of Polled Hereford cattle, a few goats,a rather large cat, and their Blue Heeler, Remo.

When he's not travelling central Illinois with a camera on his shoulder, he enjoys working on old cars and trucks, riding motorcycles and ATV's, racing supermoto, and is currently attempting to learn classical piano.

For Mike, his favorite part of the job is telling the stories of the people who make central Illinois such a unique and wonderful place,and he really doesn't mind going to all those car shows every summer either.

Kelly Curran - Weekend Meterologist / Reporter

Kelly Curran joined WICD in November of 2009 as a meteorologist and reporter.

She was born in the Chicago area (on Groundhog's Day) and attended the Illinois State Fair with her family each year to race standardbreds. While at the fair, she was even photographed for an area paper at the age of two. Kelly and her family then moved to the Detroit suburbs, where she grew up. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a major in meteorology and minors in math and geography.

After college, Kelly went to work in Erie, Pennsylvania. Not only was Kelly the weekend meteorologist and a reporter for the local Erie market, but she did weather broadcasts for the entire Caribbean, and filled in for a Southern California station as well. Kelly has covered everything from lake effect snow storms to Santa Ana Winds to hurricanes, and all in the same day!  Kelly then went on to work as a meteorologist and reporter in Madison, WI.

Kelly enjoys reading, cooking and spending time by, or in, the water. As a former lifeguard and swim teacher, Kelly loves to swim. She is also a big fan of hockey and horse racing.

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.

Liz Foster - Weekend Anchor / Reporter

After growing up in the South, Liz Foster is excited to join the NewsChannel 15 team and explore the Midwest. Liz join WICD in October 2010. She hails from Georgia, where she began her career WMGT in Macon. While in Middle Georgia, Liz covered a variety of stories from crime and consumer reports to how kids with cancer cope. Prior to reporting in Macon, Liz interned at WBTV in Charlotte after graduating from Georgia Southern University. At GSU, she earned a degree in Communication Arts with a major in Broadcasting.

Working in news is a lifelong dream for Liz, she even taped her own news show as a child on her family's video camera! Liz looks forward to getting involved in community organizations in central Illinois. Away from the cameras and the newsroom, she enjoys playing with her Yorkie Bella, cooking, traveling, volunteering and watching Braves baseball and SEC football. Liz appreciates hearing from viewers and welcomes anyone to email with a story idea or just to say hello!

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 can't 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!

Andrew Hansen - Weekend Anchor / Reporter

Andrew Hansen is ABC Newschannel 15's Capitol Reporter. He covers anything and everything that is Illinois politics. He also co-anchors the Sunday night broadcasts. During his time at WICD, he has worn a number of hats. He started as a general assignment reporter, then anchored sports for one year, before landing his current role with the station.

Andrew is originally from Joliet and went to college at Valparaiso University. There, he majored in Television/Radio and Sports Management and minored in business. Following college, Andrew started his television career in Quincy, where he worked as a Bureau Reporter in Macomb and as a fill-in sports anchor.

After being in central Illinois for a number of years, Andrew is excited to be at the statehouse and at the anchor desk. He says his favorite thing about reporting is meeting people in the community and telling their stories.

In his spare time, Andrew enjoys fantasy football, biking, playing euchre, and especially hitting the golf course.

Katie Heinz - Reporter

Katie joined the ABC Newschannel 20 team in February, 2008. With a particular interest in political reporting, Katie is thrilled to cover Springfield's "city beat" for WICS. She brings experience reporting on government at the local, state and federal levels to the job.

Originally from Palatine, Katie earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with a minor in political science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also holds a master's degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She's excited to be living and working in Central Illinois after reporting for more than a year in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

When she's not working, Katie enjoys running, spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Illini and exploring all that Central Illinois has to offer. She's also a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region.

Feel free to e-mail her with story ideas or suggestions.

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!

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.

Andrea Marvin - Reporter

Andrea Marvin joined the News Channel 20 team in June of2011 as a general assignment reporter. She is excited to tell the stories that matter most in Central Illinois.
She comes to us from a station in Northern California where she was a backpack reporter. That means she did it all, reporting,photography and editing. During her time, she covered the homeless problem in the area, tribal related issues, as well as the 2010 earthquake and tsunami that damaged the region.
Andrea started her career at a cable station in Southern Colorado. Previous to that she interned at FOX 31 Denver and graduated with a Bachelor's of Journalism Communications from Colorado State University.
A Colorado native, Andrea loves to hit the slopes with her snowboard in the winter! She also enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends. With a passion for history, Andrea is excited to learn all about the Land of Lincoln.If you see her in the community, don't hesitate to say hi.

Shantel Middleton - Reporter

Shantel Middleton joined the WICS news team in September2011. Shantel is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, but she has come to call many places home in the time since leaving. She gained her first on-camera experience working at WCIV in Charleston, South Carolina. Shantel worked as a political reporter covering the 2008 presidential primaries and general election for MTV News. At the end of the election, Shantel returned to reporting and producing at WCIV. She next moved to Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands where she covered politics and crime on the Caribbean island. Shantel is a long-time volunteer with Happy Days and Special Times, a pediatric oncology camp for kids with cancer and their families. She looks forward to keeping you informed, getting to know your families, and seeing all that Lincoln Land has to offer.

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.

Jeremy Rauch - Weekend Sports Anchor

Jeremy Rauch joined WICD in May of 2011 as a sports reporter and weekend sports anchor.

He was born in Columbus, OH, and went to college in Wilmore, KY, where he graduated from Asbury University. There he majored in Media Communications and minored in Spanish. In August of 2008, Jeremy spent 30 days in Beijing, China, working the Summer Olympic games as a camera assistant/operator. Some of the highlights from that trip include sitting poolside while Michael Phelps swam for his Olympic-record eighth gold medal, watching Team USA Basketball and experiencing the opening ceremonies live.
Following the Olympic games, Jeremy worked at stations in Dalton, GA, and Zanesville, OH, as a sports anchor and reporter. He covered things such as Ohio State football and the PGA Memorial Tournament. He was also the radio voice for the number one High School Basketball team in Ohio.

Jeremy is a huge Buckeye fan, but also follows the Browns, Bengals, Indians, Reds, Cavaliers and UNC Basketball. Married to his college sweetheart, Jeremy loves being with his wife, dog and friends. He also enjoys basketball and golf, and most of all going to the beach.

Natalie Sparacio - Reporter

Natalie Sparacio joined WICS in January 2012 as Sunrise This Morning Anchor and Reporter for ABC Newschannel 20. After working at television stations in Austin, Minnesota and Wausau, Wisconsin, Natalie is thrilled to deliver the news in her home state. A graduate of Marquette University, Natalie majored in journalism.

Throughout her television career, Natalie has been active in the communities shes lived in. Shes coached several club and high school soccer teams, served on boards for the United Way, March of Dimes, Donate Life and been recognized as a Red Cross Real Hero nominee.

When Natalie is not anchoring or reporting she loves spending time with her big Greek and Italian family, watching the Blackhawks, traveling and running in races. She just completed her first half marathon in September 2011.  She adopted her Chihuahua Terrier, Hamilton, during a pet segment interview. It was love at first sight! Natalie looks forward to life in the Land of Lincoln and welcomes emails to say hello or offer up story ideas!

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.