Alternative Christian rock features the same type of music and sound that you would find in the regular alternative rock genre. The biggest difference here is that the Christian variety heavily focuses on a religious message that adheres to the Christian faith. In Illinois, while not the most popular genre type for Christian music, there are a couple of different radio stations to choose from.
WONU - 89.7 FM in Bourbonnais, Ill.
www.shine.fm
QFL - 101.9 FM in Rockford, Ill.
Perhaps the most popular genre of Christian music, as evidenced by the number of radio stations in Illinois that focus on it, is contemporary Christian. Contemporary is used in the genre name to help differentiate this type of music from traditional gospel music. This genre, also sometimes referred to as inspirational music, sounds just like any other music you might hear on a traditional Top 40 station, only the Christian variety focuses on things that relate to the Christian faith and lifestyle.
WBVN - 104.5 FM in Carrier Mills, Ill.
www.wbvn.org
WYLL - 1160 AM in Schaumburg, Ill.
www.wyll.com
WZFS - 106.7 FM in Chicago
WGCA - 88.5 FM in Quincy, Ill.
www.wgca.org
WIBI - 90.5 FM in Springfield, Ill.
www.wibi.org
WMBI - 90.1 FM in Chicago
WFEN - 88.3 FM in Rockford, Ill.
WBGL - 88.1 FM in Decatur, Ill.
Gospel is probably the most common genre people tend to think of when they hear about a Christian or religious radio station. This type of music, while not the most upbeat Christian genre, not only focuses on delivering a message of faith, but it also prominently features a theme of praising, worshiping or thanking God. Only one station in Illinois focuses on Southern Gospel.
WGGH - 1150 AM in Marion, Ill.
www.wggh.net
Just like the name implies, Christian talk radio usually features very little, if any, music and instead follows the same format of traditional talk radio stations. The only difference here is that Christian talk radio stations focus on trying to teach their listeners more about their faith by taking a more educational approach. In Illinois, several different stations utilize the Christian talk radio format.
WAUR - 930 AM in Joliet, Ill.
relevantradio930.com
WNTD - 950 AM in Chicago
relevantradio950.com
WJLY - 88.3 FM in Ramsey, IL
www.wjly.org
WLUJ - 89.7 FM in Springfield, IL
www.wluj.org/