You're standing at the corner of State and Lake, and if you look through that massive glass window, you might see Ravi Baichwal or Cheryl Burton prepping for a hit. That’s the heart of WLS-TV. Honestly, for a lot of us in the city, channel 7 live news Chicago is just the default background noise of our lives. It’s the station that basically invented the "Eyewitness News" format we see everywhere now. But let's be real—nobody's actually sitting in front of a giant wood-paneled TV set with rabbit ears anymore.
Times changed.
If you’re trying to catch the 10 p.m. broadcast while you're stuck on the Red Line or you've finally ditched Comcast for a Roku stick, finding the actual "live" part can feel like a scavenger hunt. It shouldn't be that way.
The best way to watch Channel 7 live news Chicago right now
Forget paying for a massive cable bundle just to see the weather. You’ve got options. The most direct route is the official ABC7 Chicago app. It’s free. You don't need a provider login for the local news segments. They’ve moved toward a 24/7 streaming model, so even when a formal newscast isn't happening, there’s usually a loop of the latest top stories or "Chicago Proud" segments running.
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If you’re on a big screen, look for the ABC7 Chicago app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Android TV. It’s a dedicated app separate from the national ABC news app. Pro tip: if you use the mobile app, it supports picture-in-picture. You can scroll through Twitter (or X, whatever) and keep the news in a tiny corner of your screen.
Who is still on the air?
The roster has seen some shifts, especially since the legendary Alan Krashesky retired a while back. It felt like the end of an era, didn't it? But the current lineup has settled in. Rob Elgas and Ravi Baichwal are the heavy hitters now.
- Rob Elgas: Usually holding down the 4 p.m., 7 p.m. (streaming), and 10 p.m. slots.
- Ravi Baichwal: You’ll catch him at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
- Cheryl Burton: Still a staple of the evening news, often paired with Ravi or Rob.
- Cheryl Scott: Basically the face of Chicago weather. When the sirens go off in June, she’s usually the one explaining the radar.
Speaking of radar, they use something called Live Doppler 7 Max. It’s not just a fancy name. WLS actually owns its own radar station, which is fairly rare. Most local stations just piggyback off the National Weather Service (NWS) data. Having their own tower means the "live" part of their weather report is technically a few minutes ahead of the NWS feed you see on your phone. In a city where a snow squall can ruin your commute in fifteen minutes, those three minutes actually matter.
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Why people still care about WLS-TV
Look, local news gets a bad rap for being "if it bleeds, it leads." And yeah, there’s plenty of crime coverage. But Channel 7 stays at the top of the ratings because they do the community stuff better than almost anyone else. They produce the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and the big New Year's Eve specials. It feels very "Chicago."
There’s also the I-Team. Chuck Goudie has been there since the dawn of time (okay, since 1980), and his investigative reports still carry weight. When the I-Team starts digging into a city department or a scam, people actually pay attention. It’s that old-school investigative grit that keeps the station relevant in an age of 15-second TikTok "news" clips.
The "secret" 7 p.m. newscast
Did you know there’s a news block that isn't even on the main TV channel? Since everyone is streaming now, ABC7 launched a dedicated 7 p.m. live stream newscast. It’s only on their digital platforms—the app, the website, and their connected TV apps.
It’s a bit more casual than the 10 p.m. show. They spend more time on "Windy City Weekend" vibes and longer-form interviews. If you missed the 6 o'clock news because you were stuck on the Kennedy, this is your best bet to get caught up before the late-night broadcast.
Common glitches and what to do
It’s not all perfect. The app can be buggy. Sometimes the live stream hangs or the "Live Doppler" map doesn't load right. If that happens, honestly, just go to their YouTube channel. They often stream breaking news events there, and the player is much more stable than the proprietary one in their app.
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Also, a weird quirk: because WLS is an "Owned and Operated" (O&O) station by ABC, their streaming rights are different from an affiliate. This means you can often find them on Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV without any of the "blackout" issues you might get with smaller local stations.
Actionable steps to get connected
If you want to stay in the loop without the headache, here is how you should set it up:
- Download the ABC7 Chicago App on your phone for "Push" alerts. Turn off everything except "Breaking News" and "Weather Alerts" unless you want your phone buzzing every time a squirrel gets stuck in a tree.
- Install the ABC7 App on your Smart TV. It’s the fastest way to get local weather without needing a cable box.
- Bookmark the "Live" page on abc7chicago.com. If you work at a desk, keeping this open in a tab is the best way to catch daytime press conferences from the Mayor or the Governor.
- Check the "Safety Tracker." This is a newer feature in their digital products. It uses data to show you exactly what’s happening in your specific neighborhood. It’s way more useful than just hearing about a generic "incident on the South Side."
Channel 7 live news Chicago isn't just a TV station; it's a bit of a local institution. Whether you're watching for Cheryl Scott's winter predictions or Chuck Goudie's latest takedown, the move to digital has actually made it easier to watch—provided you know which app to click.