Chicagoans get all the right questions on Jeopardy

CHICAGO (WLS) -- When you watch Jeopardy this season, don't be surprised if you spot someone you know.

The Chicago area has contributed many contestants, including the winningest female jeopardy player. Could Jeopardy's next big winner be from the city's Chatham neighborhood?

Jason Newell is a quality analyst. You'll have to wait until November to see how he does, but during rehearsal, he was confident and excited.

"I always wanted to be on Jeopardy since I was a kid," Newell said. So when he saw that Jeopardy would be at the Black Women's Expo in Chicago, he went. "That morning, saw on news, Channel 7 News, that Jeopardy would be there."

On top of his fulltime job, Newell works against sex trafficking with The Changing World International Ministry. Jeopardy producers have visited Chicago and the Women's Black Expo twice to find contestants. Producer Maggie Speak said she had a good feeling about Newell.

"He's a solid guy. You know he's the kind of guy who plays catch with his kids. He's really down to earth, cool. He came to play this game," Speak said.

Newell's wife, Tamara, and sons, Xavier and Matthew, cheered him on from the audience.

"My youngest son said, 'Hit the buzzer fast!' My wife said, 'Have fun,'" he said.

Earlier this year, Julia Collins of Kenilworth won 20 games.

"I was hoping she would keep going. She's a special lady, unassuming, you liked her, wanted her to keep going. Hey I want her to do well, win the next one and then the next one," host Alex Trebek said.

Collins is second in consecutive wins, topped only by Ken Jennings' 74 games won. Speak would like to see that record challenged.

"If you are going to break Ken Jenning's record, come try out for the show. Especially if you are from Chicago, because you are so much smarter," Speak said.