Time’s up for Marker, Biondo

om Marker (Photo: Kurt Swanson)

Tom Marker (Photo: Kurt Swanson)

CBS Radio is closing out the year by parting company with two veteran Chicago radio personalities — Tom Marker of WXRT FM 93.1 and Trish Biondo of WUSN FM 99.5.

Marker’s position as WXRT’s evening personality and “Blues Breakers” host is being eliminated after 33 years at the adult album alternative station, according to insiders. Details of his separation agreement are being negotiated.

Trish Biondo

Trish Biondo

Biondo’s contract as US 99.5’s midday personality was not renewed after 27 years at the country music station. Sources said Biondo was unable to reach agreement on non-economic issues.

Jeff Kapugi, program director of US 99.5, said Laura Taylor and other part-timers will fill in until a permanent midday host is named.

Both moves come two weeks after CBS Radio eliminated the positions of four sales account executives in companywide layoffs. Also released were Steve Grzanich, afternoon news anchor at WBBM AM 780/WCFS FM 105.9, and Michael Horn, imaging director at WBBM FM 96.3.

Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio Chicago, was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Monday.

Marker, a graduate of Columbia College, spent five years as program director and music director of WJKL in Elgin before joining WXRT in 1980. He’s been host and producer of the weekly “Blues Breakers” hour since 1984.

Biondo, a graduate of Loyola University and St. Xavier University, joined US 99.5 in 1986 in the research department and moved up to research director, promotions director and music director. She has hosted middays since 2006.