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.
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Several candidates are eyeing the position in the 2027 election. -
The Joliet Treatment Center, designed to treat people with serious mental illness, repeatedly failed to prevent or respond to fires despite two deaths, an investigation by The Marshall Project, WBEZ and the Sun-Times found. -
The suit accuses Father John O’Connell of sexually abusing an altar boy and student at St. Mary Catholic School and Parish in Taylorville. The abuse was alleged to have happened several times between 1991 and 1994. -
Former Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) resigned this summer after sexual harassment allegations came to light. But the Illinois House Speaker, Emanuel "Chris" Welch, is facing criticism for how he handled the the situation. -
Financial stress and a lack of mental health resources in rural areas contribute to the problem. -
New application and frequently asked question documents available online -
The president again reiterated his allegations that elections are vulnerable to being stolen, but some see allegations as a bigger threat.
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First Listen for Friday, July 17, 2026. -
There is a growing interest to split Illinois and create a 51st state. What's behind the push? -
