WLUW

December 7, 2007

WLUW

WLUW is an independent community radio station serving Chicago, Illinois and its northern suburbs. It styles itself as 88.7 Listener Supported Community Radio. Loyola University Chicago ceased funding WLUW in 2002, turning over operational control of the station to WBEZ, though the station still broadcasts from Loyola’s Rogers Park campus. WLUW is now financially independent. WLUW has two full-time staffers, and a volunteer staff of nearly 200.

On July 13, 2007, an article (Back To School) in the Chicago Sun-Times revealed that Loyola is terminating its relationship with WBEZ and taking back control of the station in June of 2008.

The future of the station’s programming is uncertain at this point, as reported in Time Out Chicago (WLUW: Now with less community?) and Chicagoist (WLUW: WTF?), however, it is certain that the station’s two full-time employees (Station Manager Craig Kois and Program
Director Shawn Campbell) will be leaving. Loyola has posted some information here.

While most of WLUW’s programming is an alternative radio format with various DJs, there are many community, genre, news and specialty shows. Some standouts include:

Radio One Chicago, hosted by Billy Oaks and Sean Morrison (features Chicago’s Local Music Scene)

Abstract Science, hosted by Chris Widman

Think Pink, Chicago’s only all music radio show for the GLBT community, hosted by Erik and Ruth.

The Hump Day Dance Party, hosted by Dr. Drase and Rev. Michael Flavor

The Drinking and Writing Brewery, hosted by Neo-Futurists Steve Mosqueda and Sean Benjamin

Rock Sin Anestesia, Latin Alternative

New Orleans Music Hour, “Chicago’s weekly Mardi Gras party” hosted by Tom Jackson. Now in its 10th year.

Sunday Sports Shootout[1], Sports Talk at 11am Sundays hosted by Danny Carlino, Darrell Horwitz, and Katie Toolan

Outside the Loop RADIO: Chicago’s Almost Above-Ground Audio Magazine[2], with Mike Stephen and Andy Hermann at 6pm every Friday night

WLUW is also known for its Record Fairs. Two are held each year; one a stand-alone event, and one at the Pitchfork Music Festival (formerly the Intonation Music Festival).

Previous Format

In the 1980s and early 1990s, the station had a pop music format (High Energy 88-7 FM and then Energy 88-7 FM), modeled after commercial radio stations such as WBBM-FM, with a full staff of student disc jockeys and news anchors/reporters.

Many of its alumni went on to professional broadcasting careers, including: