WVEL

{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox radio station

| name = WVEL

| logo = WVEL (AM).jpg

| image = Radio Stations Peoria 20231115 001.jpg

| caption = Studio in downtown Peoria

| city = Pekin, Illinois

| area = Peoria metropolitan area

| branding = AM 1140 WVEL

| frequency = 1140 kHz

| airdate = {{start date and age|1946|4|21}}

| format = Urban gospel

| power = {{ubl|5,000 watts (day)|3,200 watts (critical hours)}}

| class = D

| licensing_authority = FCC

| facility_id = 68623

| coordinates = {{coord|40|36|12|N|89|37|32|W}}

| callsign_meaning = Velvet (former music format)

| former_callsigns = WSIV (1946–1979)

| affiliations =

| owner = Cumulus Media

| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC

| sister_stations = WFYR, WGLO, WIXO, WZPW

| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.listenlive.co/25431}}

| website = [https://www.wvel.com/ wvel.com]

}}

WVEL (1140 AM) is a daytimer radio station licensed to Pekin, Illinois, and serving the Peoria metropolitan area. It is owned by Cumulus Media with the license held by Radio License Holding CBC, LLC. It broadcasts an urban gospel radio format, with some Christian talk and teaching shows, and is known as "Central Illinois' Christian Voice."{{cite web|title=Station Information Profile |work=Arbitron |url=http://www.arbitron.com/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301134627/http://www.arbitron.com/ |archive-date=March 1, 2010 }} The radio studios and offices are on Eaton Street in Peoria.

By day, WVEL transmits 5,000 watts non-directional.{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/info/WVEL-AM?loc=40.72074,-89.60942&locn=Peoria,+Illinois|title=WVEL-AM 1140 kHz - Pekin, IL|website=radio-locator.com}} As 1140 AM is a clear channel frequency, reserved for Class A WRVA Richmond, Virginia, and XEMR Monterrey, Mexico, WVEL must sign off at sunset to avoid interference. During critical hours, WVEL has a power of 3,200 watts.