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U of I Alumni Achievement Award recipient Cheri Bustos reflects on her journey from Springfield to Congress

The Honorable Cheri Bustos
Courtesy of Cheri Bustos
The Honorable Cheri Bustos

The Honorable Cheri Bustos is a UIS Public Affairs Reporting program graduate, former Congresswoman and recipient of the University of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award. Bustos spoke to Community Voices about how her experience in the PAR program influenced her career and her time as a Congresswoman. She also discussed her achievements in Congress, the importance of bipartisanship and her current role at Mercury Public Affairs.

Vanessa was the Community Voices Production Coordinator at NPR Illinois from 2021-2025. She continues her passion for broadcasting as a co-host of the Beyond the Mouse podcast for the Front Row Network.
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