Rob Elgas
In March of 2023, Elgas was promoted and now anchors ABC 7 Chicago's top-rated 10 p.m. newscast. The veteran news anchor and reporter anchors the live, digital 6:30 p.m. newscast and has also anchored the station's top-rated 4 p.m. newscast since May of 2016.
Upon his arrival at Chicago's most watched television station, ABC 7's former Vice President of News Jennifer Graves said, "Rob Elgas is an experienced journalist who has established a strong connection with Chicago viewers during his 13 years covering Chicago and suburbs."
A Chicago area native, Elgas brings more than two decades of news experience to ABC 7.
Elgas joined ABC 7 from NBC 5 in Chicago where he anchored the early afternoon news and reported for the late evening news.
An award winning journalist, Elgas has won several Emmy Awards including an Emmy for breaking news coverage of a devastating tornado in the area. Elgas reported from Naplate, Illinois after a tornado outbreak devastated the small town. He also co-hosted an Emmy Award-winning broadcast of the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade with Cheryl Burton, Janet Davies and Judy Hsu. The broadcast was nationally syndicated and seen in top markets across the country.
During his career, Elgas had been honored with Associated Press and Peter Lisagor Awards for his live breaking news coverage of protests in Chicago in 2014. He won Emmy Awards for co-hosting various specials, including a Winter Olympic special, "Hometown Hopeful," featuring Chicago Olympians. He has covered two Olympics, the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy and the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Elgas has traveled to Washington, D.C. for the State of the Union, and covered breaking news in California and Texas for ABC 7. But his most memorable assignment was covering the historic World Series win by the Chicago Cubs, joining Mark Giangreco and Jim Rose in Cleveland for breaking news coverage of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series.
Prior to his return to Chicago in 2002, Elgas worked for ABC 7 in El Paso, Texas. Hired in 1998, he was a weekend anchor before co-anchoring the morning show from 2000-2002.
Elgas started his broadcasting career behind the lens in Champaign-Urbana, working as a photographer for WICD-TV.
Elgas attended the University of Illinois, studying agricultural communications and journalism, before landing his first job in television.
Elgas is a member of NAHJ, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Most of his family now lives in south Texas, just a few hours north of the Mexican border.
Born in Arlington Heights and raised in Crystal Lake, Elgas now lives in the suburbs with his wife and two children.
Follow Rob Elgas on:
Facebook: @RobElgas
Twitter:@RobElgasABC7
Rob's Stories
At least 2 tornadoes kill 2 as storms sweep through northwest Indiana, leaving trail of damage
Suspected tornadoes left extensive damage in northwest Indiana Tuesday, where two people were killed.
Newly released video captures Border Patrol shooting of Chicago woman in Brighton Park
DHS accused Marimar Martinez of ramming agents with her car, but her attorney argued it was the agents who crashed into her.
'Operation Midway Blitz' in Chicago area sparked shootings, tear gas, protests in 2025
"Operation Midway Blitz" in the Chicago area sparked shootings, tear gas and protests in 2025.
Bears expanding stadium search from Arlington Heights to wider Chicago area, NW Indiana
The Chicago Bears team president said in an open letter that a new expanded stadium site search including Northwest Indiana is due to what he calls a lack of cooperation from Illinois lawmakers.
Alleged serial Loop puncher ordered detained after several attacks, some while wearing ankle monitor
An alleged serial puncher has been ordered detained after officials say he attacked at least six women in separate incidents downtown. One of the victims is now speaking out.
CBP officer charged with sexually assaulting, robbing multiple women in Chicago suburbs: officials
After word of the attacks started to spread among the sex worker community, court documents say, one worker arranged to meet Luis Uribe at a restaurant, where they snapped a photo of him.
'Chaos Divers' have helped solve nearly 2 dozen cold cases nationwide, including several in Illinois
A group of volunteers is diving into rivers and lakes across America, including in the Chicago area, to bring closure to families of the missing.
Chicago high school students preserve mariachi music, tradition
Benito Juarez High School in Pilsen is the only Chicago Public School that offers Mariachi as a class. Since 1994, the school has been building the next generation of Mariachi stars.
Sister Jean, beloved chaplain for Loyola Chicago basketball team, dies at 106
Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain for the Loyola Chicago basketball team, has died at 106, the university said late Thursday.
ABC7 celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with 'Our Chicago: El Sueño Americano'
ABC7 Chicago's Hispanic Heritage Month special "El Sueño Americano" explores the meaning of the "American Dream" through the lens of Hispanic and Latin communities.