Bill Jurek has been a consultant with The Chicago Lighthouse since March, 2005 and has been working with the Chicagoland Radio Information Service (CRIS) in various capacities, including show host.  Most recently, Bill has begun hosting a weekly radio program, The Beacon, which covers topics related to individuals with disabilities as well as issues related to veterans and seniors.  

Prior to joining The Lighthouse, Bill spent the last four decades being heard on Chicago radio and television stations.  Since 1975, he has been a staff announcer with NBC and has been heard on Channel 5 as well as WMAQ radio during its country music heyday.

Bill’s other radio credits include WGN, WLS, and WIND. In the late 1980's, he held the fifth highest rating in Chicago for "morning drive" on FM 100. On WLIT radio, he served as community affairs director as well as show host.

In addition to his broadcast work, Bill was also the voice for such clients as Dads Root Beer, Darvin Furniture, Lazyboy Showcase Shops, Fedders Air Conditioners, Serta Bedding, and The Baird and Warner Sunday Morning Home Show, which aired on Channel 7 for several years.  

Since losing his vision in 1995, Bill has been a spokesman, advocate, and mentor for blind and visually impaired individuals, particularly those interested in the broadcast field. In addition to working with various organizations serving the blind and visually impaired community, Bill is a graduate field representative for Guiding Eyes For The Blind in Yorktown Heights, NY, one of the premier guide dog schools in the United States from which he has obtained his guide dog.

Currently, he is a member and past executive board member of the Central Lions Club of Chicago.

Since 1997, Bill has been a guest lecturer for the Taxi and Limosine training program at Harold Washington College in Chicago, as well as Harper College in Palatine, IL and Columbia College Chicago. He has also worked with The Chicago Police Department to produce a training video for cadets and officers concerning the use of guide dogs.  

At the present time, Bill resides On Chicago’s Northwest side with his guide dog Abner. He loves music, live and recorded, the theater as well as reading audio books.  Social times may find him at dinner or “just hanging out” with a group of wonderful friends.  He has three adult sons from his more than 30 year marriage to his late wife.