John Prine Named Illinois’ First Honorary Poet Laureate

The late John Prine, who died earlier this year of COVID-19, has received an unprecedented posthumous honor. He’s the first person to be named Illinois’ honorary poet laureate.

“John Prine leaves behind an unparalleled musical legacy and was beloved by family and millions of fans who hope that in Heaven he finds Paradise waitin’ just as he longed for,” Governor JB Pritzker announced today. The announcement arrives the same month Prine’s final recording “I Remember Everything” was released.

Read Jayson Greene’s Afterword tribute to Prine “Remembering John Prine, the Ultimate Songwriter’s Songwriter.”