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
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.
North suburban couple loses over $1,000 in online puppy scam
The adorable pet never arrived.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi concedes to challenger Pat Hynes
Hynes is expected to become the next Cook County assessor, because there are no Republicans running for the position.
Amazon investigating after Elgin disabled senior inundated with over 100 packages she didn't order
An Amazon driver came by to get all of the packages from Pat Hurley's home on Saturday afternoon, and the company told ABC7 it apologized to her.
Elgin woman frustrated by Amazon deliveries, packages she didn't order
Imagine receiving dozens of mysterious Amazon packages at your doorstep. A woman in the Chicago area says she didn't order anything, yet more than 100 packages have shown up at her home, and she wants it to stop.