Cheryl Annette Burton is a Chicago-based Emmy Award-winning news anchor for WLS-TV, who has been a mainstay on the station for over 25 years. She’s not just a newsreader though, as Burton is also a dedicated community leader and motivational speaker, actively involved in organizations that empower youth and promote well-being.

After completing her high school education, Burton graduated from Lindblom Technical High School (now named Lindblom Math & Science Academy) in 1980. She furthered her education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Biology. Additionally, she is affiliated with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Notably, in 2007, she became the first alumna to be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

Burton’s career has been a steady climb in the world of broadcast journalism.

Early on, she honed her on-camera presence with appearances on shows like Romper Room and Star Search. She also hosted the hour-long cable program “Simply Elegant.” These experiences likely laid the foundation for her future success.

In 1992, Burton landed a significant role at WLS-TV, a major Chicago affiliate of the ABC network. This marked the beginning of her long-standing tenure at the station. Over the years, she has steadily risen through the ranks, eventually becoming a mainstay anchor for the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. Additionally, she previously anchored the 7 p.m. newscast on WCIU-TV and currently anchors the digital 7 p.m. newscast for WLS-TV.

Burton’s dedication to journalism was recognized in 2009 when she won an Emmy Award for her exceptional coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration. This prestigious award stands as a testament to her journalistic talent and expertise.