Tanja Babich
The Emmy Award-winning anchor brings a wealth of morning news experience and a rich cultural perspective to Chicago viewers. Babich is the Canadian-born daughter to immigrant parents from Chile and Serbia, and came to the U.S. as a first-generation college student. She proudly spoke about her heritage and living the "American Dream" when she became a United States citizen in April 2013.
Before coming to Eyewitness News, Babich anchored Syracuse, New York's top-rated morning newscast on WSYR-TV for three years. Prior to that, she juggled morning news reporting with hosting the market's only weekday morning talk show, Bridge Street, which highlighted community events, people and trends.
Babich's most exhilarating news experience involved an almost hour-and-a-half-long flight with the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds, at one point, clocking 9.4Gs! Her stomach isn't well-suited for stunt-flying, but her sense of adventure is. Other career highlights include following Pope Francis on his first visit to the U.S., reporting from President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, and helping thousands of tradesmen and women to track down the person responsible for half-a-billion-dollars of labor union losses in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme. Above all, it has been the challenge and honor of her career, helping Chicago-area viewers to navigate the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and modern civil rights movement.
After graduating from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government, Babich - who is fluent in French and speaks conversational Spanish and Serbian - nearly became an intelligence officer. A fortuitously timed public speaking engagement captured the attention of a city official who suggested a career in broadcasting instead. Within weeks, Babich applied, and was ultimately accepted, to the Master's Degree program at Northwestern University's prestigious Medill School of Journalism.
Babich is acutely aware of the privilege afforded by her work and tries to pay it forward. She is a board member of HFS Chicago Scholars, which provides financial and mentoring support to deserving area high school students, and she is also the founder of Lake Affect Chicago, a kids camping retreat in partnership with The Wood Family Foundation and Camp Wandawega in Elkhorn, WI. Babich has also enjoyed lending her voice to narrate the stories of exceptional women in history on two episodes of the Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls podcast.
Babich is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She lives in Chicago with her husband and three daughters.
Find Tanja on Facebook and Instagram: @tanjababich
Twitter: @BabichABC7
Tanja's Stories
Homemade: Birrieria Zaragoza continues family tradition, success with award-winning birria
Chef Jonathan Zaragoza says the family business began after neighbors called the police thinking they were dealing from their basement.
Homemade: How Daisies Chef Joe Frillman grew his dream from a farm to Michelin star restaurant
ABC7's Tanja Babich traveled to southwest Michigan to learn how Chef Joe Frillman's story is truly farm-to-table.
Homemade: Get to know Virtue chef Erick Williams
Chef Williams grew up on Chicago's West Side in Lawndale, he said it was family and faith that guided his path.
When is the best time for students to apply for FAFSA student aid?
The new FAFSA application has 72 fewer questions than previous years. Here's what you need to know.
Homemade: Get to know chef Beverly Kim of Parachute
Chicago's restaurant scene is celebrated as being among the best in the nation.
Towering Figure: How architect Jeanne Gang reshaped Chicago's spectacular skyline
ABC7's Tanja Babich sat down with world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang for an exclusive interview.
Save money on holiday shopping buying refurbished tech gifts
During the holiday shopping season, tech gifts are always popular.
What to consider when withdrawing funds from retirement accounts
Some Americans choose to dip into their retirement account when faced with financial hardship. Here's what you need to know when considering it.
DePaul graduate shares financial journey as student loan payments resume
With student loans back on the top of mind for many Americans, a local woman shared her journey to overcome her financial strife.
Walk to End Alzheimer's steps off at Soldier Field
ABC7 Chicago is the event's media sponsor, and ABC7's Tanja Babich is the media ambassador.