Kate McKenzie is the director of development at NPR Illinois. In this role, Kate is the chief fundraiser. Her background is from the editorial side of journalism, but the need has led her to find funding to inform the community.

Michelle Eccles is the NPR Illinois Morning Edition anchor and host. She also produces the First Listen daily podcast and publishes the NPR Illinois Daily newsletter. Michelle is heavily involved in the Springfield community. She shares more in this Community Voices discussion.

Sean Crawford is the NPR Illinois managing editor, or news director. In this conversation he discusses his earliest radio days to his years at the statehouse before taking the helm of NPR Illinois news operations.

Audrey Bellot is the NPR Illinois business manager. This entails a variety of functions to allow other staff to focus on their assigned duties. These include sponsorship traffic management, purchasing, billing, Day Sponsorships, reception, and more.

Tim Boll is the chief engineer at NPR Illinois. He works with radio requency and internet protocol technology to make sure the audio and digital content of NPR Illinois reaches the audience.

Judah White is the NPR Illinois development coordinator through the UIS Graduate Public Service Intership program. He works to create graphics, promos, and social media to help grow the NPR Illinois audience.

After closing The Wakery, Elizabeth Wake joins NPR Illinois as one of its sponsorship account executives to develop business funding and increase awareness.

Local author Luke McQuillan sits down with Community Voices to discuss his recent novel, "Love in the Light." This is Luke's first published novel. In addition to writing the book, Luke has also created an entire musical for the reader to enjoy as they move through each chapter.

Jonathan Reyman joins Community Voices to discuss his new book Pueblo Bonita and Chaco Canyon Revisited, his time at the Illinois State Museum, and his love of anthropology and archeology.

Todd Snider died November 14, 2025. The following is an archival interview previewing his performance at a NPR Illinois Bedrock 66 Live show January 13, 2012.—Todd Snider says what’s on his mind. His music is steeped in his beliefs about war and politics, religion and any other subject often viewed as taboo for most artists. Snider’s latest cd “The Storyteller” allows him to further explain his songs and whatever else is on his mind.