Downsizing Hits Cumulus Chicago

Cumulus Media has cut at least seven positions at its Chicago cluster last Friday — it looks like three full-timers and four traffic reporters are adversely affected. That’s the word from Chicago media columnist Robert Feder, who reports the casualties include WLS Sports Reporter Rachel Brady and Jeremy Peterson, a.k.a. Pyle (left), who did 7-midnight on WLUP (97.9 The Loop). Also out — Scott Dirks, longtime Production Director “and ubiquitous commercial voice on WLS,” says Feder, who reports Dirks was just a few weeks shy of his 20th anniversary at the station. Evenings on The Loop now will be voice-tracked by James VanOsdol, Programming Content Specialist for The Loop and Alternative WKQX.

Also departing Cumulus Chicago are traffic reporters Jen DeSalvo, Christina Filiaggi, JoAnn Genette and Marti Jones. Sources tell Feder that traffic info formerly supplied by United States Traffic Network would continue to be provided by news anchors or others on the respective stations.