Award-winning Illinois journalist Bob Arya joins Blagojevich administration as senior adviser         

[NOV. 13, 2006]  CHICAGO -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced Monday that Bob Arya, an award-winning and nationally recognized television news anchor, reporter and author, is joining the governor's office as a senior adviser.

"Bob understands the challenges and issues that face families across Illinois -- he's been covering them in-depth as a reporter for 17 years," Blagojevich said. "His experience will be a real asset to my administration as we continue working to make life better for senior citizens, working people and their families over the next four years."

For the past 11 years, Arya has covered news in the Chicagoland area for CLTV. Before that, he was a general assignment reporter in downstate Peoria. Arya's work has been recognized with the top awards in journalism, including Emmy and Associated Press awards as well as one of the most prestigious of all journalism awards, the Sigma Delta Chi award for Public Service from the Society of Professional Journalists.

As a journalist, Arya produced a half-dozen critically acclaimed documentaries, including "Prisoner of Progress," which prompted Illinois State Senate-sponsored hearings into the conditions at the Kane County Jail, and "Power Struggle," which led to recommendations for tighter restrictions over natural gas-fired power plants in the Chicago area. Arya is also a recognized author. His critically acclaimed textbook "Thirty Seconds to Air" is used by college and university students across the country.

"I'm excited about the agenda Governor Blagojevich has laid out for the next four years, and I look forward to working with him to fulfill goals like expanding health care and increasing the minimum wage again," Arya said.

Arya started with the governor's office Monday (today).

[News release from the governor's office]