Chicago Radio: WCKG Douses The Blaze

The winds of change are blowing again at WCKG 1530 AM in Chicago (licensed to Elmhurst, IL). WCKG (760 watts) started 2014 airing Glenn Beck and news from TheBlaze. The station even went so far as to brand itself as “15-30 The Blaze”.

That era has officially ended almost as quickly as it began with the  hiring of WCKG’s new Operations Manager, John Spataro.

Spataro’s first move as the OM of daytimer WCKG is dropping TheBlaze news at the top and bottom of the hour, and replacing it with live/local Chicago Weather, Chicago Sports headlines, and Suburban Chicago News Headlines.

Spataro joined the station in April 2014 after leaving his position as a News Anchor at the Central Radio Group in Princeton, IL.

“I’m excited to execute our vision for WCKG. AM 1530 reaches over 7 million people in Chicago-land, while WCKG.com’s possibilities are infinite. I’m absolutely thrilled to be back home working with the wonderful people at WCKG,” Said Spataro.

WCKG Station Manager Matt Dubiel handpicked Spataro, “There was an exhaustive nationwide search to find the right person for the culture we’re building here. I’m excited to have a go-getter like John at WCKG.”

These moves coincide with WCKG relocating to brand new digital broadcast studios near Oak Brook, as well as shifts in the national and local talk radio landscape.


Recently, WCKG afternoon host Peter Schiff announced he was leaving terrestrial radio. Schiff cited time constraints and mediocre reception from the traditionally right-wing talk radio outlets across the US.
WCKG immediately pulled Schiff’s show from their lineup. WCKG currently runs the Glenn Beck Program live weekdays from 8a-11a central time.

Earlier in 2014, WCKG said goodbye to Chicago morning titan Mancow Muller who transitioned from a focus on radio, to hosting his own radio themed TV show locally in Chicago.