Cheryl Burton BIO
Cheryl Burton (full name – Cheryl Annette Burton) is a renowned American Emmy Award-winning Journalist working as an evening news anchor for WLS-TV – ABC7 Chicago in Illinois. She joined the station in the year 1992.
How Old is Cheryl Burton?
Burton is 62 years old as of 2025, she was born on December 25, 1962, at Provident Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She celebrates her birthday on December 25 every year.
Cheryl Burton Education Background
Burton went to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – there she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Psychology. She is also an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In the year 2007, Burton became the very 1st female graduate from her university to be added to its hall of fame. During her time at the university, Burton joined the Marching Illini (1 of the top college marching bands in the country). She got the chance to perform in both the Liberty Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Burton finished high school at Lindblom Technical High School (it is now called Lindblom Math & Science Academy) in the year 1980.
Cheryl Burton Career Experience
WLS-TV
Burton serves as an evening news anchor at WLS – ABC7 Chicago, appearing on the 5 PM and 10 PM newscasts. She started with the 10 PM newscast in June 2018. Also, Burton is the anchor of the 6:30 PM digital news show – it airs live on the ABC 7 TV apps and on abc7chicago.com. She began as a weekend news reporter and co-anchor at the station.
Her reporting has taken her across Chicago, the U.S., and the world – she has covered major events like Hurricane Katrina, President Obama’s inauguration, and the opening of Oprah’s school in South Africa. Burton is known for her warm and thoughtful interviews – she shares powerful stories about everyday celebrities, people, and world leaders. She says that she likes to always shine a light on injustice and give a voice to those often unheard.
While receiving the Chicago Journalists Association Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2019, Burton made an announcement of a new scholarship at her former high school. It was given to 2 graduating seniors who plan to study journalism in college. Also, Burton shared that some of her most meaningful experiences include her yearly holiday toy drive for children in domestic violence shelters – also, being a special guest at Oprah’s Legends Ball.
Oprah Winfrey gave Burton her final interview before ending her talk show after 2.5 decades. They spoke about lessons learned, favorite moments, and how Chicago shaped Oprah’s life and success. The exclusive interview was also featured on “Good Morning America”. Burton is actively involved in the NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists), the CABJ (Chicago Association of Black Journalists), and the SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists).
Other Stations
Before joining WLS-TV, Burton worked as the weeknight 6 PM news anchor at KWCH-TV in Wichita, Kansas. While there, Burton was praised for helping with a campaign that helped lower the number of infant deaths and low birth-weight babies. Also, Burton hosted a talk show called “Viewpoint” from the year 1990 to the year 1992.
In the year 1990, Burton worked at WMBD-TV in Peoria, Illinois as a general assignment reporter. Burton started her broadcasting career in the year 1989 at Chicago’s WGN-TV – there she co-anchored the nationally syndicated weekly show “MBR: The Minority Business Report”.
Cheryl Burton Awards and Honors
Burton has won 17 Emmy Awards throughout her career. Here are Burton’s other honors and awards:
- In the year 2009, Burton received the Procter and Gamble Pioneer Award for ‘community service’.
- Also in the year 2009, Burton earned an Emmy for ‘her coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration’, titled “Journey to Witness History, The Obama Inauguration”.
- In the year 2008, Burton was given the Vernon Jarrett Par Excellence Award in journalism.
- In the year 2008, Burton won the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Salute to Excellence International Award for ‘reporting on the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa’.
- Burton was the very 1st person to receive the “Sisters in the Spirit” Award in the year 2005, an honor from Chicago gospel singers recognizing a faith-based life.
- The CABJ (Chicago Association of Black Journalists) Burton gave her the Russ Ewing Award in the year 2004 for ‘a story about a mother donating a kidney to her daughter’.
- Burton received the Thurgood Marshall Award in the years 2005 and 2004.
- In the year 2003, Burton received the Russ Ewing Award again for ‘her coverage of the E2 nightclub tragedy’.
- Burton received the Phenomenal Woman Award in the year 1997 from the expo for Today’s Black Woman.
- In the year 1998, Burton was given the Kizzy Image and Achievement Award – it recognizes black women excelling in their fields.
- Burton was praised for her reporting on the Pope’s visit to Canada in the year 2002.
- Burton’s work covering the Million Man March earned her a CABJ award in the year 1995.
- The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana gave her their Luminary Award.
- Burton was honored as an “Unsung Sheroe” by the National Basketball Association Wives Association Inc. for ‘inspiring women nationwide’.
Additional honors include:
- The DuSable Museum History Maker Award
- The Grace and Beauty Award
- Recognition as a Girl Scout Camp CEO Leader
She is a lifelong proud Girl Scout and she was named a “Woman of Excellence” with the 2025 Chicago Defender Vanguard Award. Also, she takes part in the Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke’s fashion show.
Cheryl Burton Height
Burton has an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches, equal to 170.18 cm.
Who Is Cheryl Burton’s Husband? | Ex-Husband
Burton seems to be currently single according to her social media platforms. However, she has been in one unsuccessful marriage and she does not have any children. She was married to Jim Rose (ABC 7 sports reporter) from the year 1986 to the year 1995. Jim had been dating Burton back when Burton was a cheerleader for the Chicago Bears – Jim proposed to Burton the Friday night before Super Bowl XX in New Orleans. Burton resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Who Are Cheryl Burton’s Parents and Siblings?
Burton’s parents are Simpson Burton (father) and Hattie (mother). Her dad is a United States Air Force veteran and her mom is a teacher at Chicago Public Schools. Burton has 4 siblings and she is the fourthborn – the identities of her siblings are unavailable.
How Much Does Cheryl Burton Earn?
Burton has an average salary range of between $30,000 and $80,000 from working as an evening news anchor.
Cheryl Burton’s Net Worth
Burton has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million, reflecting her successful career in the media industry. Her foremost source of income is mainly associated with working as a Journalist.
Cheryl Burton Volunteer Work
Burton is deeply involved in Chicago and she spends a lot of time helping non-profits and charities. She volunteers with the Boys and Girls Club of America. Also, she speaks to students in Chicago Public Schools to inspire them. Also, Burton is a board member for City Year, the Multicultural Dance Center, and the Life with Lupus Guild.
Cheryl Burton Attack | Illness
On April 23, 2008, Burton was one of 5 people attacked by a man punching random strangers in downtown Chicago, IL. She was on a dinner break near Washington and State Street – this was when Gregory Perdue (a 28-year-old) hit her in the head and knocked her down. At first, Burton thought she had been shot but tests showed no serious injuries – she had headaches for months. Gregory Perdue was later found not guilty due to mental illness – he was sent to a state mental health facility until April of the year 2015.
Cheryl Burton Social Media Accounts
Burton frequently uses social media sites where she interacts and connects with her followers by sharing information about her professional and personal encounters. Some of her platforms include Twitter @BurtonABC7 with more than 14.9k followers and Instagram @cherylburtonabc7 with more than 23.3k followers. Also, Facebook @CherylBurtonABC7 with more than 51k followers.
Quick check about Cheryl Burton
- Age: 62 years old as of 2025
- Marital status: Single
- Spouse: Currently unavailable
- Ex-Spouse: Jim Rose
- Children: No kids
- Nationality: American
- Net worth: A range of $1 million to $5 million
- Salary: Estimated salary of $30,000 and $80,000
- Height: 5 feet and 7 inches (170.18 cm)
- Profession: Journalist
- Parents: Simpson Burton (dad) and Hattie (mom)
- Siblings: 4 siblings
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