Sean Crawford
Managing Editor, NPR Illinois/ CAB Ex-OfficioSean has led the NPR Illinois news operations since the fall of 2009. He replaced the only other person to do so in the station's history, Rich Bradley.
Prior to taking over the News Department, Sean worked as Statehouse Bureau Chief for NPR Illinois and other Illinois Public Radio stations. He spent more than a dozen years in the statehouse press room, winning numerous awards for his reporting, including a national Capitolbeat honor for coverage of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's impeachment and removal from office.
Overall, Sean has logged 40 years in journalism. He began his broadcasting career at his hometown station WJPF in Herrin, Illinois while still in high school. It was there he learned to cover local government, courts and anything else that made the news.
He spent time in the Joliet area as News Director and Operations Manager for radio station WKBM and worked for a chain of weekly newspapers for two years. Along with news coverage, he reported heavily on sports and did on-air play by play.
Sean hosts weekly shows Statewide and State Week, which air across Illinois Public Radio stations. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Affairs Reporting from the University of Illinois Springfield.
-
The president was killed 161 years ago this week. An author takes us back to the scene of the crime. -
Illinois has seen a jump in money coming in this budget year, an amount well above estimates. Slower growth is expected next year. -
The decision comes nearly three years after their convictions on charges that involved what prosecutors called a bribery scheme involving ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. -
Rep. Lashawn Ford said he is urging the UIS chancellor to settle the strike, which is nearing a third week. -
First Listen for Wednesday, April 15, 2026 -
Voters approved the funding mechanism for the board last month. -
An audience chair used the night of Lincoln's assassination will be on display this summer. -
Once an economic and political hub, Illinois' first capital is barely hanging on. -
While there always complaints over property taxes, legislators have rarely tried to tackle the issue.
-
