IL SR2347

Commemorates the life and death of Herb Kent, a pioneering Chicago radio broadcaster who passed away at age 88.

Kent was born October 5, 1928, and began his radio career at age 16 hosting a classical music program on WBEZ in 1944.

Hosted shows on multiple Chicago stations including WVON (1962-1970), where he became known as the "Voice of the People" and "Herb Kent, the Cool Gent" while helping launch careers of R&B artists including The Temptations, Minnie Ripperton, Curtis Mayfield, and Smokey Robinson.

Received numerous honors including induction into the Museum of Broadcast Communications Radio Hall of Fame (1995), a street named "Herb Kent Drive" in Chicago (1996), a U.S. postal stamp in the 1998 "Golden Days of Radio" series, and Honorary Mayor of Bronzeville (1999).

Illinois Senate expresses condolences to Kent's family and friends and directs presentation of a suitable copy of the resolution to the family.