Joe Walsh to start WIND talk show

Former Congressman Joe Walsh will be working in the 8th Congressional District after all. While the ink's not quite dry yet, Walsh told the Daily Herald Wednesday that he will sign on as a Monday-through-Friday talk show host at Rolling Meadows-based WIND 560 AM beginning March 18. The McHenry Tea Party firebrand will have a 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. time slot, following the Steve Cochran show.

“Barring a catastrophe it'll probably get done within the next day or so,” Walsh said of the contract.

Walsh he said he plans to use the radio program to “grow a movement of people who are prepared to tell their government, 'I want to grow up and I want to be free.'”

“I'm going to use my voice on the radio just like I do in town halls around the state, to really be a strong advocate for freedom,” Walsh said.

In the months since being defeated by Hoffman Estates Democrat Tammy Duckworth in his bid for a second term, Walsh has traveled around the state on a “listening tour” as he's mulled his future steps. He has also contemplated a statewide bid for either governor or senate.

Walsh says that the radio show will not impact plans for a future bid.

“I'm focused on growing the freedom based movement. Whether that leads to another run down the road, in the short term or long term, I don't know. This radio show, is going to be another platform right now for me being a voice for freedom.”

Walsh is traveling down to Springfield Wednesday on a bus with McHenry County residents to support “gun rights” day at the state Capitol.