Jennifer Graves announced this week that she’s stepping down as vice president of news at ABC7, a position she’s held for over 20 years.
The big picture: With Graves as part of the leadership team, ABC7 Eyewitness News has completely dominated the 10pm news competition for over 30 years.
What they’re saying: “Jennifer Graves’ reputation for journalistic excellence has made her one of the most influential news leaders in Chicago for more than three decades,” ABC7 president and general manager John Idler wrote in a statement.
Context: Graves joined ABC7 in 1992 as an executive news producer and was promoted to vice president of news in 2001.
- She is in charge of the station’s news coverage for both on-air and digital platforms. She also oversees major event coverage like political debates.
The intrigue: In 2019, Graves was at the top of media columnist Robert Feder’s list of “Most Powerful Women In Chicago Journalism.”
- With Graves leaving, the top five women on Feder’s list are no longer at their news posts.
- Jennifer Lyons is the lone exception, but since 2019 she’s left WGN for Nexstar and now CBS Chicago.
What’s next: Graves will stay on the job through June.
- “I’ll leave with a lifetime of memories and more friendships than I can count,” she said in a statement.
