ABC 7 promotes Doug Whitmire to VP of News

Replaces the recently retired Jennifer Graves in role as city prepares for DNC

ABC 7 (ABC-owned WLS-TV) announced Tuesday the promotion of Doug Whitmire from assistant news director to VP of news at the top-rated station, replacing the recently retired Jennifer Graves after 32 years.

The move is effective August 5. 

“Doug has been a leading force in the newsroom for more than two decades and a key contributor to our success”, said ABC 7 GM John Idler. “His impeccable news judgement and in-depth knowledge of Chicago make him ideally suited to take the helm of ABC 7 Eyewitness News.”

A graduate of Bowling Green University with a degree in Journalism, Whitmire’s career began in 2000 as a producer and assignment reporter in Toledo, moving to ABC 7 in 2003 as a newswriter and producer. Five years later, he became the executive producer of the station’s morning newscast and the 10 p.m. newscast in 2014 and became assistant news director in 2021. Whitmire has been nominated for fourteen NATAS Midwest Emmy Awards and won ten in the breaking news, best newscast, and best coverage of a live event categories. 

“When I walked into 190 North State 21 years ago, I remember the sense of awe I had for ABC 7, and I’m fortunate to have the same feeling today”, said Whitmire in a statement. “I am inspired by the work the team does day in and day out to serve the people of Chicago. I am looking forward to leading Chicago’s No. 1 news and the hardest working team in the business.”

This comes as Chicago’s local news stations prepare to cover the 2024 Democratic National Convention at the United Center next month. One of the city’s biggest stories in decades, Chicago will be center stage as current vice president Kamala Harris is expected to be nominated as the Democratic nominee for President after Joe Biden shocked the world Sunday afternoon by announcing he would not seek another term.

“We are preparing a comprehensive coverage plan, both on television and our streaming platforms, so that our audience gets up-to-the-minute information about how the convention will impact the city,” Whitmire told the Chicago Tribune Tuesday.

While the convention will be a boon to the city, local news shops will be busy covering the impact from traffic to protests. The last time Chicago hosted an event of this magnitude was in 2012 when NATO held a two-day summit at McCormick Place.