Beatrice Bonner is known throughout the community as the host of NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” show, but she has now taken on a new role with Teachers’ Retirement System. As of Oct. 1, she is the internal communications specialist for the state agency.
“I wasn’t really looking, but the job popped up, and I decided to apply for it. I was offered the job a week after I interviewed,” Bonner said. “It really appealed to me because my mom taught for the Chicago education system for 20 years and her coworkers really embraced her and lifted her up.”
Bonner has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in mass communication/media studies from University of Illinois Springfield. She interned with NPR Illinois while in college and started full-time with the station as the membership and engagement coordinator following her graduation in 2018. She then began serving as the Community Voices editor in 2020.
“When I came here for school, I really didn’t know anybody,” Bonner said, noting she is from Chicago. “I got to meet a lot of people who have really made an impact in this community, and I really enjoyed the mission of public radio.”
While she will no longer be working in broadcasting, Bonner said people in the community haven’t heard the last of her.
“I’ve been doing radio since high school, and I will always love radio and podcasting,” she said. “I’m excited for this new opportunity, but I plan to still be involved (in the community) in some way. Keep your eyes and ears open; I’ll be doing something in the near future.”
This article appears in October SBJ 2025.
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