© 2023 Peoria Public Radio
A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former congresswoman Cheri Bustos takes on consulting gig with D.C.-based firm

Tim Shelley
/
WCBU

Former congresswoman Cheri Bustos is taking a job as a consultant with a firm in the nation's capitol.

The Democrat is joining Mercury Public Affairs as its head of Illinois operations and co-chair of the Washington, D.C. office.

“I’ve spent decades solving complicated problems and working to build consensus both in and out of government, and I am thrilled to bring that experience to one of the top bipartisan public strategy firms in America,” Bustos said in a statement. “I look forward to using my skills and experience in communications and journalism, as well as my legislative and political background, to provide strategy and value to clients across various sectors.” 

Mercury guides clients on communications and messaging strategies. Before she served in Congress, Bustos was a journalist, and later the vice president of corporate communication for UnityPoint Health.

Bustos will divide her time between Washington, Chicago, and Springfield.

Bustos served ten years in Congress representing the district that includes Peoria, Rockford, and the Quad Cities. She was succeeded by Democrat Eric Sorensen.

We depend on your support to keep telling stories like this one. You – together with donors across the NPR Network – create a more informed public. Fact by fact, story by story. Please take a moment to donate now and fund the local news our community needs. Your support truly makes a difference.

Tim is the News Director at WCBU Peoria Public Radio.