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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Lawmakers stayed busy until the end of the fall session, passing several key pieces of legislation. -
First Listen for Friday Oct. 31, 2025 -
From wearing masks to concealing identities of vehicles, agents are raising concerns in Illinois and other states. -
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Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey. -
First Listen for Weds. Oct. 29, 2025.
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First Listen for Tuesday Oct. 28, 2025
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Unions representing UIS staff and tenure and tenure-track faculty began bargaining with the school in June. -
First Listen for Monday Oct. 27, 2025
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Illinois lawmakers have one week of session left this year. We discuss what might get done.
