WSSR

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Radio station in Joliet, Illinois

title: "WSSR" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["hot-adult-contemporary-radio-stations-in-the-united-states", "radio-stations-established-in-1960", "radio-stations-in-illinois", "connoisseur-media-radio-stations", "1960-establishments-in-illinois", "joliet,-illinois"] description: "Radio station in Joliet, Illinois" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WSSR" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Radio station in Joliet, Illinois ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]

FieldValue
nameWSSR
cityJoliet, Illinois
countryUS
areaChicago market
brandingStar 96.7
frequency96.7 MHz
airdate(as WJOL-FM)
formatHot adult contemporary
subchannelsHD2: WJOL 1340 AM
erp3,100 watts
haat142 m
classA
facility_id62240
coordinates
callsign_meaning"Star"
former_callsigns
affiliationsWestwood One
ownerConnoisseur Media
licenseeAlpha Media Licensee LLC
licensing_authorityFCC
sister_stations
webcast
website
::

| name = WSSR | logo = | city = Joliet, Illinois | country = US | area = Chicago market | branding = Star 96.7 | frequency = 96.7 MHz | airdate = (as WJOL-FM) | format = Hot adult contemporary | subchannels = HD2: WJOL 1340 AM | erp = 3,100 watts | haat = 142 m | class = A | facility_id = 62240 | coordinates = | callsign_meaning = "Star" | former_callsigns = | affiliations = Westwood One | owner = Connoisseur Media | licensee = Alpha Media Licensee LLC | licensing_authority = FCC | sister_stations = | webcast = | website =

WSSR (96.7 FM, "Star 96-7") is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Joliet, Illinois, United States, it serves South and West Suburban Chicago. The station is owned by Connoisseur Media, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC. WSSR's studios are located in Crest Hill, and its transmitter is in Homer Glen, Illinois. Using the slogan Star 96-7, the station features a playlist of new pop and pop-rock artists, 2000s and 1990s music.

History

WJOL-FM

The station first signed on the air on February 6, 1960, as WJOL-FM, sister station to AM 1340 WJOL. The station shared its studios and transmitter site with the AM in Joliet, where it broadcast with an ERP of 1,000 watts at a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 125 ft. Initially, WJOL-FM simulcast the programming of the AM part of the day, but aired beautiful music, classical music, and standards separate from the AM station during evening hours and weekends. The station was owned by Joseph Novy and Jerome Cerny.

By 1964, its programming was separate from its AM sister station, and the station was one of the first in the area to broadcast in stereo. That year, WJOL-AM-FM were sold to Publishing Enterprises, owned by Jack Harris and family, for $560,000. A year later, its ERP was increased to 3,000 watts and its HAAT was increased to 300 ft.

WLLI-FM

In 1974, the station's call letters were changed to WLLI, an anagram for Will County, the primary county in its coverage area, and it aired a country music format. Later that decade, the station switched to a MOR format, and then a top 40 format. By 1980, WLLI had returned to a MOR format.

In 1984, the station switched to a top 40/CHR format. In 1987, the station was sold to Joliet Broadcasting. It would shift to an adult rock format in early 1988, and was branded "96.7 I-Rock".

In early 1995, WLLI was sold to Barden Broadcasting, which changed the station's format to hot AC. On January 22, 1996, the station adopted a country format.

Will Rock

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/96.7_WILL_Rock_logo.png" caption="96.7 Will Rock's logo"] ::

In January 1997, WLLI adopted a rock format, and was branded "96.7 Will Rock Rocks!". Lonny Tyler was morning host and program director. During this time the station carried the Motor Racing Network broadcasts of what was then known as the Winston Cup Series.

In 1998, the station was sold to Pride Communications. In 2000, the station was sold to NextMedia Group.

Star 96.7

On February 2, 2004, while playing "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses, the song started slowing down, until the song was cut halfway through. After 15 seconds of dead air and a minute of stunting with radio sounds, this led to the launch of the station's new adult contemporary format as "Star 96.7". The first song to air under the new branding and format was "Lucky Star" by Madonna. The "Star" branded adult contemporary format had previously aired on 93.5 WJTW, but the station was sold to HBC and flipped to a Spanish language format, as WVIX. On February 9, 2004, WLLI-FM's call sign was changed to WSSR.

In 2008, WSSR moved its transmitting antenna from Joliet (where it was co-located on WJOL's tower) to a 350 ft tower located at 159th Street & Cedar Road in Homer Glen. The move solidified the stations signal coverage in the I-88 and I-355 corridor as well as the southwest suburbs.

WSSR and NextMedia's 32 other radio stations were sold to Digity, LLC for $85 million; the transaction was consummated on February 10, 2014. Effective February 25, 2016, Digity, LLC and its 124 radio stations were acquired by Alpha Media for $264 million. Alpha Media merged with Connoisseur Media on September 4, 2025.

Scott Childers joined WSSR in 2008 as afternoon drive host, and became program director in 2012. In April 2019, Childers was replaced in his weekday afternoon and evening shift by Eddie Volkman.

HD programming

WSSR transmits in HD Radio and provides a multicast (extra) channel, which carries sister station WJOL on HD 2. The main HD channel, HD 1 simulcasts the over-the-air (analog) channel.

References

References

  1. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1961-62/section%20B%201%20Radio%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201961-1962-9.pdf 1961-62 Broadcasting Yearbook]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1961-1962. p. B-54. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  2. [https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=62240&Callsign=WSSR62240 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  3. [https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=81889 History Cards for WSSR], fcc.gov. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  4. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-US-Radio/60/U-S-Radio-1960-Jul.pdf FM Station Key]", ''U.S. Radio''. Vol. 4, No. 7. July 1960. p. 47. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  5. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-US-Radio/61/U-S-Radio-1961-Sep.pdf FM Station Key]", ''U.S. Radio''. September 1961. p. 65. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  6. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-05-11-BC.pdf Changing hands]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]]''. May 11, 1964. p. 87. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  7. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-05-11-BC.pdf Ownership changes]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]]''. May 11, 1964. p. 96. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  8. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1964/Section%20B1%20A%20M%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201964.pdf 1964 Broadcasting Yearbook]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1964. p. B-50. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  9. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1975/C%201%201975%20Radio.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1975]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1975. p. C-58. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1977]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1977. p. C-64. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  11. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1978/C-1-Broadcasting-Yearbook-1978-Full.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1978]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1978. p. C-66. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  12. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1980/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201980.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1980]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting]], 1980. p. C-69. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  13. Bornstein, Rollye. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1984/BB-1984-12-22.pdf Vox Jox]", ''[[Billboard (magazine). Billboard]]''. December 22, 1984. p. 21. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  14. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-04-24.pdf Transactions]", ''[[Radio & Records]]''. April 24, 1987. p. 12. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  15. [https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=100451&File_number=BALH-19870414HW Public Notice Comment – BALH-19870414HW], fcc.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  16. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves]'', MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  17. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/Chicago_Magazine/Chicago-1991-Spring.pdf WLLI FM 96.7]", ''Radio Chicago'', Spring 1991. p. 54. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  18. ''[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1991/B-Radio-AL-MT-1991-B&W.pdf The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991]'', [[Broadcasting & Cable]], 1978. p. B-102. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  19. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1995-03.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", ''The M Street Journal''. Vol. 12, No. 13. March 29, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  20. [https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=205343&File_number=BALH-19950104GH Public Notice Comment – BALH-19950104GH], fcc.gov. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  21. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1995/BC-1995-01-30.pdf Changing Hands]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]''. January 30, 1995. p. 44. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  22. [[Chuck Taylor (music journalist). Taylor, Chuck]]. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-01-20.pdf Vox Jox]", ''[[Billboard (magazine). Billboard]]''. January 20, 1996. p. 81. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  23. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1997-01.pdf Format Changes & Updates]", ''The M Street Journal''. Vol. 14, No. 2 . January 15, 1997. p. 1. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  24. "96.7 Will Rock". WLLI.
  25. "Jox Box". WLLI.
  26. "[http://www.chicagolandspeedway.com/Articles/2001/06/LONNY-TYLER-SITS-IN-ALL-75000-SEATS.aspx Lonny Tyler Sits in All 75,000 Seats!]", [[Chicagoland Speedway]]. June 18, 2001. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  27. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1998/BC-1998-02-02.pdf Special Report]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]''. February 2, 1998. p. 47. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  28. Mannion, Annemarie. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-02-05-9802050168-story.html Voice of Joliet May Grow Quiet]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. February 5, 1998. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  29. "[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/combos-90829 Combos]", ''[[Broadcasting & Cable]]''. July 9, 2000. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  30. Kirk, Jim. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2000-07-04-0007040098-story.html Suburban Radio Signals Scooped Up By Colorado's NextMedia Group]", ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. July 4, 2000. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  31. (February 3, 2004). "Chicago Media Headlines".
  32. (February 2, 2004). "The format flip of WLLI-FM 96.7 'Will Rock' to WSSR-FM 'Star 96-7'".
  33. (January 2025)
  34. [https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=1241427 Application Search Details – BLH-20080402AAF], fcc.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  35. "[http://chicagoradioandmedia.com/news/6316-nextmedia-radio-stations-now-owned-and-operated-by-digity NextMedia Radio Stations Now Owned And Operated By Digity]", ''Chicagoland Radio and Media''. February 10, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
  36. "[https://www.alphamediausa.com/alpha-media-closes-purchase-of-digity-radio-stations/ Alpha Media Closes Purchase of Digity Radio Stations!]", Alpha Media. February 25, 2016. Retrieved March 19, 2019.
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  38. (September 4, 2025). "Introducing The New Connoisseur Media". RadioInsight.
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  40. "[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/185621/scott-childers-exits-pd-afternoons-at-wssr-star-96 Scott Childers Exits PD/Afternoons At WSSR (Star 96.7)/Joliet, IL]", ''All Access Music Group''. April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  41. "[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/185638/eddie-volkman-joins-wssr-star-96-7-joliet Eddie Volkman Joins WSSR (Star 96.7)/Joliet]", ''All Access Music Group''. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  42. link. (October 6, 2014 HD Radio Guide for Chicago)

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hot-adult-contemporary-radio-stations-in-the-united-statesradio-stations-established-in-1960radio-stations-in-illinoisconnoisseur-media-radio-stations1960-establishments-in-illinoisjoliet,-illinois