News

Ameren Illinois demonstrated its goal towards community mindedness by giving Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s WSIE 88.7 FM The Sound a $2,000 grant. 

Partly, the electric company’s mission is to enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve, according to Ameren officials. WSIE is a non-commercial, education-focused radio station, broadcasting at 50,000 watts on the campus of SIUE and reaching most of the Greater St. Louis region. In the past, WSIE enjoyed state support to help offset costs, but after July 1, 2018, that stipend was discontinued because of the former Illinois budget crisis. 

Now, the station is reliant on underwriting partners and donations from listeners, as well as grants and corporate donations. 

“This heritage station is loved by many, and this donation from Ameren Illinois will help us as we continue to work on funding our operation costs,” said WSIE General Manager Jason Church. “Gifts like this are necessary in order to help us continue to provide quality jazz and jazz-centric programming, as well as offering the opportunities for students to get real world experience with a professional radio station.” 

“WSIE not only offers a nice lifestyle amenity for residents in the region, but also the broadcasters who graduate from their program will one day be delivering the news about topics of importance to our customers,” said Vice President of Electric Operations George Justice and fan of the station. “We’re proud to provide resources to help the station continue its good work in the Greater St. Louis area.” 

To learn more about how you or your business can support this community radio station, visit WSIE. 

Ameren Illinois is a regulated electric and gas delivery company headquartered in Collinsville, Illinois.  Ameren Illinois delivers energy to 1.2 million electric and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in Illinois. Their mission is to power the quality of life. Their service territory covers more than 1,200 communities and 43,700 square miles. For more information, visit AmerenIllinois.com. 

WSIE-FM went on the air on September 4, 1970 as a National Public Radio affiliated station delivering a variety of programming, while serving as an educational platform for SIUE mass communications students. In the 1980’s, WSIE became The Jazz Station, featuring such broadcasters as Leo Chears. WSIE has also produced a long list of highly successful broadcasters including Dewayne Staats, the current broadcast voice of the Tampa Bay Rays. On August 1, 2016, WSIE launched its new brand, 88.7 The Sound providing listeners with a rich blend of jazz, smooth jazz, blues and R&B to create “The Sound.” WSIE is a community supported radio station, which must rely upon its listeners and underwriters to maintain operations.