Mark Hespen

Current co-host of the “Mornings with Mark and Sam” show on 97.9 KICK-FM. Mark is a graduate of the Conservatory at The Second City in Chicago and holds a degree in Acting from Northern Illinois University. Mark is also the host of “On the Mark”, an hour of honest sports talk every Saturday morning on News Talk 1070 KHMO-Am. His love for sports followed him from Chicago never missing an opportunity to watch the Bears, Bulls, Cubs, or Hawks. In 2022, Mark received the Missouri Broadcasting Award for Best Sports Personality Small Market. Mark enjoys time with his wife and family, history, and random facts. You can connect with Mark on Twitter @MarkHespen

A Whopping Number of Illinois Students are Reading Below Average

The numbers are trending in the right direction but overall we have a reading crisis for our students in the Land of Lincoln, here are the details...

Why are kids in Illinois missing so many days of School?

Students in Illinois are missing school at an alarming rate, who is to blame, and why are kids not showing up to class?

One of the 10 Best Public Universities in the US is in Illinois

Forbes ranked the top public universities in the United States and a school in Illinois made the top 10. Which school in the Land of Lincoln is on the list ahead of schools like the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina...?

The Craziest Donuts in the US are finally coming to Illinois

These donuts aren't your average glazed or sprinkled donuts, these are the legendary Voodoo Donuts and they are finally opening up a location here in the Land of Lincoln!

One of the 10 Best Apple Picking Spots in the US is in Illinois

According to the experts at Yelp if you are looking for a great place to pick apples for your homemade apple pie this fall then you need to head to an orchard in the Land of Lincoln!

A New Airline is coming to Central Illinois

If you live in Central Illinois and are looking to fly south to warmer weather soon you won't have to drive to Chicago or St. Louis to catch a flight! Here are the details...

Register your Guns or Lose them in Illinois starting in 2024

Here is your warning, if you don't register your guns by 2024 you may lose them under new gun laws in the Land of Lincoln. Here are the details you need to know if you don't want to lose your guns...

One of the 10 Most Famous Streets in the US is in Illinois

There is no better fame than Instagram fame, right? Well, one of the ten most Instagram'd streets in the US is in the Land of Lincoln, and It certainly isn't the most beautiful street in Illinois...

Travel Experts suggest taking a “Spontaneous” Trip to Illinois

If you are someone who loves to make spontaneous decisions then you should head to a city in Illinois, a travel website ranked one town in the Land of Lincoln as one of the 5 perfect destinations for a spontaneous trip!

A New Law in Illinois to Address Drug Education in Schools

Your public schools are no longer going to teach "just say no" to drugs, a new law will force school districts to talk about drugs more in schools. Is that a good thing? Here are the details you need to know...