Kevin Kollins out of radio, into politics

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

Kollins, whose real name is Kevin Hedemark, said he was let go Friday by Alpha Media because of his decision to run in the Democratic primary for Will County Board.

Hedemark for years has been afternoon host for WJOL-AM, an Alpha Media station. He also was co-host for the morning show on Alpha Media’s Star 96.7-FM.

“I was let go earlier today from Alpha Media, and I am pursuing a seat on the Will County Board,” Hedemark said.

Hedemark is giving up a 37-year career in radio in which he used the name Kevin Kollins and will “pretty much semi-retire” with hopes of gaining a seat on the county board, he said.

His pursuit of a Will County board seat created a conflict with his on-air radio job because of Federal Communication Commission rules that potentially could have required equal air time for other candidates.

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

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

While Hedemark said he was let go due to his decision to run for a seat on the county board, WJOL morning host Scott Slocum was appointed to the Channahon Village Board in 2004, ran to keep the position the following year and has been allowed to remain on the board.

Hedemark two weeks ago told The Herald-News that while he had filed petitions to run for county board he had not made a final decision to run for election. He would have had time to withdraw from the ballot. But Hedemark said he made his decision to stay in the race.

“I’ve had an interest in politics for a long time,” Hedemark said, explaining his decision.

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

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

The top two vote-getters in the primary will go on to the general election. Two members are elected for each county board district.