Public radio listeners in Kankakee, Joliet and points south who tune in WBEZ (91.5-FM) for “Prairie Home Companion” or “All Things Considered” must often try to listen through annoying bursts of static and interference.
That will change at 10 a.m. Friday when Chicago Public Radio switches on sister station WBEQ (90.7-FM) near Morris.
The new station will not be staffed with on-air personalities, although that may one day happen, according to WBEZ officials. It’s basically a new frequency that will bring in WBEZ’s programming more clearly to listeners on the southwest fringes of its current signal.
“It will make it easier to hear and it brings the signal to areas further south,” said Colleen Jungbluth, WBEZ’s marketing projects manager.
WBEQ should reach audiences as far south as Coal City, Carbon Hill and Mazon, Ill., Jungbluth said.
Grundy County officials will be allowed to break into the new signal to broadcast emergency messages.
