information provided by the Office of the Governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (July 16, 2019) – Pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate, Melody Spann Cooper will serve as Commissioner on the Illinois Liquor Control Commission.
Since 1999, Spann Cooper has served as chairman of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, a best-in-class African-American owned media boutique whose properties include radio and interactive platforms. The two properties combine to provide niche programming to Chicago’s thriving Black and Hispanic populations. Midway Broadcasting properties include WVON 1690AM, the oldest Black-oriented radio station in Chicago. In 2007, Spann Cooper spearheaded the corporation’s expansion with the development of WRLL 1450AM, Chicago’s Home for Hispanic Independent Broadcasters. WRLL is committed to preserving the authentic voice and culture of Chicago’s growing Latino target market.
In addition to the company’s radio properties, Midway Broadcasting Corporation has established itself as a premier event and integrated marketing company.
Spann Cooper’s other professional affiliations include: Vice Chair of the Illinois Broadcasting Association; Co-Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council for the Obama Library Foundation; Board Member of Chicago’s tourism board, Choose Chicago; Trustee of the Museum of Science & Industry; The Executive Committee of the Business Leadership Council; Executive Board Member of The National Association of Black-Owned Broadcasters, and Co-Founder of the Color Us Woman Organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Loyola University of Chicago.
