Little background -- the rapper served 5 months behind bars after he was sentenced for that infamous 2015 kick to a woman's chest. The day he was getting out, an outstanding weapons-related warrant popped up, and he landed back in prison with a 30-month sentence.

Fast forward to present-day -- Lindsey Hess at the Illinois Department of Correction tells TMZ ... Kevin's scheduled to be released on Wednesday, after serving 9 months. Hess says Gates is getting out on parole, and his release conditions include mandatory supervision and no possession of firearms.