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* From Don Howard at the Illinois Times…
Jim Leach is leaving his longtime role at WMAY to take a position as public information officer with the Illinois Department of Public Health. His last day at WMAY is June 28 and he starts at IDPH on July 5.
Leach started at WMAY as a part-time disc jockey in 1983, while he was in college. Back then, the station format was country music, and Leach played vinyl records. Sometimes they got recordings of live music shows and played them for 15 minutes at a time, then a station break. […]
According to Leach, ideology is secondary to being engaged. “One of the things we prided ourselves on was a wide range of views,” said Leach. “Consultants thought we needed to have one political viewpoint or the other, but a lot of important local issues like what the city government is doing or how the school district is performing aren’t necessarily ideological.” […]
Other events that stand out during his long career is the collective grief expressed by his listeners after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the tornadoes that struck Springfield in 2006. “I was on the air 14 hours straight,” he said. Without power, transistor radios were one of the few reliable sources of information in those tense hours after the disaster.
Leach also said that a career in radio can be strange and wonderful, sometimes both at the same time. “I have had the privilege of interviewing both Barack Obama and Weird Al Yankovic, my two favorite interviews ever.” He’s also allowed himself to be tased live on air and broadcast while undergoing a colonoscopy in order to raise awareness about cancer screening.
I remember listening to Jim in my basement during that 2006 tornado. I even called in once or twice. Dude is a total pro and a really good guy. Go read the whole thing.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 3:29 pm
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Big win for all here, Jim, the agency, and the administration.
Good stuff. My best to him.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 3:36 pm
Congratulations for Jim, both for a long, legendary career at WMAY and for getting on board at Public Health.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 3:50 pm
Good luck to him, I enjoyed listening in when I could.
Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 3:51 pm
Sad he’s leaving the show but happy he’s on to a new chapter. Unlike some pio’s Jim brings a lot of experience and reliability as the messenger.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 3:56 pm
OW +1
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 4:02 pm
Not a fan. It’s not a good luck to be a raging partisan and call yourself a news guy.
He’s making a good choice.
Comment by 40,000 ft Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 4:18 pm
agree 40,000 ft, not a good look or sound whatsoever.
Comment by tunes Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 4:24 pm
The only unique voice in Illinois talk radio. Everyone else is just a carbon copy of one another.
Comment by Former Downstater Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 4:32 pm
==It’s not a good luck to be a raging partisan and call yourself a news guy==
I was waiting for the haters.
From someone who doesn’t have the faintest clue of the difference between his talk show and the news side.
Good luck to him in his new position.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 4:43 pm
“Everyone’s a critic”
Everyone is a critic, and they seem to listen too.
:)
Again, my best to all… and tip of the cap to - Norseman -
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 22, 23 @ 5:07 pm
Congratulations to Jim. He’s been a class act in Springfield for many years. We listened to him all night during the tornados. Now WMAY can go complete conspiracy theorists or back to Country Music. Jim wore many hats for that group. He will be missed.
Comment by Club J Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 7:15 am
Didnt jim work for the state a long time ago. I wonder if he is trying to get 8 years total so he gets vested.
Comment by The Dude Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 7:31 am
He did. Attorney General with Burris. A good deputy pio and a fun guy to have around. Agree it is a good deal for all. LNM
Comment by Lurk No More Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 7:45 am
I no longer live in the area so I can’t listen to him, but knew him in grade school. (St. Cabrini) I really hope he sings Wells Fargo Wagon on his last day. Don’t know if he remembers, but I do. Stuck with me for well over 40 years. Good luck!
Comment by Grandpaw Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 9:29 am