Sources said the employees included traffic reporters Jen DeSalvo, Christina Filiaggi, JoAnn Genette and Marti Jones. In most cases, they doubled as sidekicks or contributing personalities to morning or afternoon drive-time shows.
In Chicago, Cumulus Media owns news/talk WLS AM 890 and classic hits WLS FM 94.7. It also operates classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 and alternative rock WKQX FM 101.1.
Peter Bowen, vice president and Chicago market manager of Cumulus Media, declined to comment on the layoffs.
Sources said traffic information supplied by United States Traffic Network (formerly Radiate Media) would continue to be provided by news anchors or others on the respective stations.
Also cut Friday, according to insiders, were Rachel Brady, sports reporter on WLS, and Jeremy Peterson, known on air as Pyke, who hosted from 7 p.m. to midnight on The Loop. Evenings on The Loop now will be voice-tracked by James VanOsdol.
The second largest radio operator in the country, Cumulus Media owns 454 stations in 90 markets.
