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

Get ready Illinois, the New McDonald’s $5 Meal is Coming Soon!

We have all been complaining for years that fast food prices are getting too high, McDonald's heard our cries and is ready to launch a new $5 value meal, here is what you can expect when it comes to a McDonald's near you...

A Small town in Illinois will pay you $10,000 to move there

BUT...There's a catch...A small town in Illinois is looking for some very specific people to move there and will pay you to do so. Which town is it, and do you fit the type of person they are looking for? Here are the details...

Illinois is home to one of the Greatest American Food Challenges

If you want to push your appetite to the ABSOLUTE LIMIT, then you need to head to a town in Central Illinois and tackle the "The Big Fat Ugly"...what is it, and where can you find it? Here are the details...

Here is why the Mild Winter was HORRIBLE for Illinois

Spring is almost here and unless the next two weeks are filled with freezing temps and tons of snow, this winter was EXTREMELY mild for the Land of Lincoln. And while it was nice to wear shorts in February, this mild winter is horrible for one of Illinois' most valuable resources. Here are the details...

Is this REALLY the Best Pie in all of Illinois?

Illinois grows more pumpkins than any other state and yet the "best" pie in the state according to Yelp, is a hand-held spicy pie...Here are the details on the "Best" pie in the Land of Lincoln...

Would you pay $187 for a Hot Dog in Illinois?

Would you pay $187 for a hot dog? A place in Illinois is offering you the chance to buy one of these unique luxury dogs, here are the details on this pricey dog...

A New Law could make “Magic Mushrooms” legal in Illinois

The bill lawmakers in the Land of Lincoln are discussing is similar to the one passed a couple of years ago out in Oregon. What exactly are lawmakers trying to legalize, and why are they doing it? Here are the details you need to know...

Don’t Plan a Vacation to Chicago during these Dates in 2024

You ABSOLUTELY should take a trip to Chicago in 2024, it is one of the greatest cities in the world to vacation. Just don't go on a certain weekend later this year, let me tell you why...

Legal Weed was BIG business in Illinois in 2023

Only two states are making more off of legalized cannabis than the Land of Lincoln, and Illinois' love for legalized cannabis is growing heading into 2024, here are the numbers...

Will 2024 be the year Illinois actually Gains Population?

The data was released and Illinois saw a population loss in 2023, making it 10 straight years of population loss here in the Land of Lincoln, will it finally turn around in 2024?