Kevin Kollins quits radio to enter politics – Shaw Local

Local radio personality Kevin Kollins is off the air and getting into politics.

Kollins, real name Kevin Hedemark, said he was fired Friday by Alpha Media over his decision to run in the Will County Board Democratic primary.

For years, Hedemark served as the afternoon host for WJOL-AM, an Alpha Media station. He was also co-host of the morning show on Alpha Media‘s Star 96.7-FM.

“I was terminated earlier today from Alpha Media, and am seeking to serve on Will County Council,” Hedemark said.

Hedemark is giving up a 37-year radio career in which he used the name Kevin Kollins and will go “roughly into semi-retirement” in hopes of securing a seat on the county board, a he declared.

His pursuit of a seat on the Will County Board of Directors created a conflict with his radio work due to Federal Communication Commission rules that could have potentially required equal airtime for other candidates.

“I was more than willing to do other things at the radio station,” Hedemark said. Some issues are important to him, including public safety and improving infrastructure, he added.

Alpha Media Regional Vice President Brian Foster confirmed that Hedemark was no longer on the air with Alpha and referred further questions to Hedemark.

While Hedemark said he was fired due to his decision to run for a county council seat, WJOL morning host Scott Slocum was appointed to Channahon Village Council in 2004, s’ is presented to retain the position the following year and was allowed to remain on the board.

Two weeks ago, Hedemark told the Herald-News that although he had filed petitions to run for county council, he had not made a final decision whether to run for office. He would have had time to withdraw from the ballot. But Hedemark said he’s made up his mind to stay in the race.

“I’ve been interested in politics for a long time,” Hedemark said, explaining his decision.

Hedemark is also a volunteer auxiliary lieutenant in the Will County Sheriff’s Office. He said he consulted with the sheriff’s office and was told the position would not conflict with his pursuit of a county council seat.

He will be a candidate in the June 28 primary in County Council District 9, an area that includes much of Romeoville and parts of Bolingrook. Hedemark is a resident of Romeoville. Two other candidates for the Democratic primary are incumbent Margaret Tyson of Bolingbrook and Destinee Ortiz of Romeoville.

The first two voters in the primary will go to the general election. Two members are elected for each district of the county council.