Illinois Names John Prine Honorary Poet Laureate

John Prine was named Honorary Poet Laureate of the State Of Illinois. Prine, who died in April at the age of 73 due to COVID-19, is the first person to be bestowed the honor.

Prine was born and raised in Maywood, a suburb of Chicago. The singer-songwriter was given the distinction as part of an announcement made by Illinois Governor J.D. Pritzker that also established the 2020 Illinois Poet Laureate Search Committee.

The first Illinois Poet Laureate was Howard B. Austin who held the title from 1936 to 1961. Carl Sandburg then held the role between 1962 and 1967. Gwendolyn Brooks was Poet Laureate between 1968 and 2000. Kevin Stein was then Illinois’ Poet Laureate from 2003 to 2017, when the role became vacant.

John Prine’s widow, Fiona Whelan Prine, stated:

I have no doubt that John would be proud and delighted to receive this recognition from his home state of Illinois. Although he had moved to Nashville in the early 1980s, he continued to visit Chicago, and Maywood in particular, to spend time with his family. John continued to follow Chicago sports teams and had never found a hot dog, pizza or Italian Beef sandwich to rival the originals. Watching John, as I did many times, play to an Illinois audience was always thrilling. A home boy delighting in the love and approval of his loyal fans – some of them family, longtime friends, old school buddies and neighbors.

John had a great respect for Writers of all kinds. He regarded Poets as being among those whose work carried weight, relevance and elevated craft. It is such an honor for me, our sons, and the entire Prine family to acknowledge that our beloved John will be named an Honorary Poet Laureate of the State of Illinois. Thank you, Governor Pritzker, for this wonderful recognition.

The 2020 Illinois Poet Laureate Search Committee will accept nominations from July 1 through August 15. Nominees must currently reside in Illinois, have published poems or books and be active in the state’s literary community. The next Poet Laureate of Illinois will be named by Governor Pritzker in the fall.