John Williams began hosting WGN Radio 720's weekday afternoon drive show in February 2000. John originally came to WGN Radio in September 1997 as host of the mid-day show. Before arriving in Chicago, he hosted the mid-day show on WCCO Radio, Minneapolis, for four years. Prior to that, John spent ten years at WMBD, Peoria. His first radio job out of college was WSPY, Plano, Illinois.
John's program is an all-encompassing show. Focusing on current events, he discusses the news of the day, sports, television programs, movies, books, etc. On occasion, John will take calls from "Thomas Jefferson" and a cast of characters.
In 2006, John was a finalist in the category of Personality of the Year at the Illinois Broadcasters Association Silver Dome Awards. He has received several other broadcasting awards as well. A past Marconi finalist, he won Personality of the Year at the Silver Domes, and Best Afternoon Show on a News, Talk, Personality or Sports Station and Best Talent at the (A.I.R.) Awards. In addition, John's opinion pieces occasionally appear in the Chicago Tribune.
His hobbies include running (he's a four-time marathoner), reading, playing basketball and recovering from injuries sustained while playing basketball. John is also a certified nuclear physicist and speaks no languages fluently. He's a Libra, is in excellent health, and thinks the greatest invention ever is either the seedless watermelon or the Internet.
With his wife, Brenda, John has two sons. Griffin is now pushing 6 feet tall and is 14 years old. Grant is 6 feet tall and is 18 years old. Griffy will someday write for Rolling Stone - or at least read Rolling Stone. Grant plays baseball, talks baseball, sleeps baseball and eats baseballs. The boys have a dog, Fred. Fred is America's largest wiener dog.
