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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On this episode, we discuss some of the new laws that took effect in Illinois. -
The 6-month old puppy was found last week off the Mechanicsburg blacktop. Someone used electrical tape to tightly wrap her mouth, causing severe injury to her muzzle. She also suffered a severely broken leg. -
On this episode, we examine some of the reasons why a degree is no longer a guarantee for finding a job. -
Clyburn to appear July 7 to discuss new book on groundbreaking politicians -
Michael Satterfield was found on June 18 near a construction site in the 1000 block of North Grand Avenue East in Springfield. -
On this episode, we talk about the controversy surrounding data center development and efforts to enact guardrails at the state level. Lawmakers left Springfield pledging to work on legislation that could address concerns over power usage, utility costs and more.
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On this episode, we listen to a series that examines how schools across the country, including in Illinois, hand out suspensions to Black students at a higher rate than for white students. -
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First Listen for June 24, 2026
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Peter Cadigan was originally charged with murder, but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
