Samantha Chatman
Chatman grew up in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side, and joined Chicago's No. 1 news station in September 2019. Chatman says she is thrilled to work at the station she grew up watching, and ABC7 inspired her to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.
Prior to joining ABC7, Chatman was an Emmy award-winning consumer investigative reporter for the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
Before moving to the DFW, Chatman was the business reporter at WDRB-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. She started her career at WEEK/WHOI-TV in Peoria, Illinois, where she worked as a multimedia journalist, fill-in anchor and weather anchor.
In 2022, Chatman published her first children's book, "Mia Gets Sick, But Doesn't Quit," a story that was developed during the pandemic to help inspire and remind kids to never give up. A portion of the proceeds was donated to Make-A-Wish Illinois, an organization she has supported for several years.
Chatman attended Kenwood Academy's Academic Center for middle school, Lincoln Park High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a minor in African American studies.
Chatman is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and the National Association of Black Journalists. Chatman also serves as an Associate Board member for After School Matters.
Follow Chatman on social media:
Instagram: @samantha.chatman
Facebook: @samantha.chatman
Twitter: @SamChatmanABC7
Samantha's Stories
Dress shop broken into on Northwest Side as some say their prom designs were withheld
An investigation is now underway on the city's Northwest Side after Chicago police say there was a break-in at a prom dress shop. A bridal shop has stepped up to help parents in need of prom dresses for free.
Investment resentment: Local businessman accused of cheating people with loans, stopping payments
The ABC7 I-Team is investigating a local businessman accused of cheating people out of tens of thousands of dollars. He is known as "Brandon Mr. Finance."
Traveler struggles to get refund for cruise after being forced to miss flight due to FAA mandate
A Chicago woman says she couldn't go on a Caribbean cruise because the FAA issued a no-fly mandate in parts of the Caribbean because of tensions in Venezuelae. She says neither the cruise line nor her insurance would reimburse her money.
Women say Chicago tea party bus canceled last-minute, wouldn't provide full refund
They were expecting the ultimate tea party experience, but women say they were ripped off.
FBI investigating Chicago-area travel agent accused of taking money, not booking trips
The ABC7 I-Team is investigating a local travel agent who is accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from customers and never booking their trips. Alleged victims are coming forward nationwide, and now the FBI is getting involved.
Wisconsin sheriff suing local woman, Cook County commissioner over detention claims
Law enforcement officials are saying a Chicago-area woman's claims of being detained for two days were a hoax.
Spend in the Black returning to Chicago's South Side with push to boost Black-owned businesses
Spend in the Black was started last year after the rollback of DEI funding. The goal is simple: to revitalize Black businesses and bring the community together.
'Faith. Fight. Freedom: The Legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson' explores civil rights icon's impact
ABC7 Chicago presented an hour-long special on the late Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. as we remember how he impacted millions through his words and his actions.
Home insurance drops and denial rates increasing more in Chicago area than national average
Data shows that non-renewal rates, for reasons other than non-payment, are now higher in our area, more than the national average. Non-renewals are also increasing nationwide.
Missing suburban college student James Gracey found dead in waters off Barcelona beach: local police
Catalan police say Chicago-area native college student James Gracey has been found dead in waters off a Barcelona beach after he went missing during a spring break trip.