IL SR2339

Illinois Senate honors the death of Herbert Rogers Kent, who passed away at age 88 after a distinguished career in radio broadcasting.

Kent began his radio career in 1944 at age 16 hosting a classical music program on WBEZ while attending Hyde Park High School and later became a popular DJ at WVON during the civil rights era, helping to calm rioters after Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s death.

Kent worked in radio for over 50 years, including stints at WGCI and WVAZ/V103, and earned recognition as the longest-serving DJ according to Guinness Book of World Records.

Kent received numerous honors including induction into the Museum of Broadcast Communications Hall of Fame in 1995, National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995, and Gwendolyn Brooks Hall of Fame at Chicago State University, and was voted Mayor of Bronzeville in 1999.

Senate directs that a copy of this resolution be presented to Kent's family as an expression of sympathy.