Tracy Butler
Butler is an annual contributor to ABC 7's live coverage of the Chicago Auto Show in February and also plays in the CATA's (Chicago Automobile Trade Association) annual golf outings. Previously, she had co-hosted the Chicago Air & Water Show and All-Star Shootout Golf Show on ABC 7.
From 1993 to 2002, Butler filled in for weather anchors Spencer Christian and Tony Perkins on ABC's Good Morning America.
Before joining ABC 7, Butler anchored the morning and noon weathercasts at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia. (1992-93). Earlier, she was the chief weather anchor at WFMJ-TV in Youngstown, Ohio (1988-1991).
Butler began her broadcasting career as a weathercaster at WTRF-TV in Wheeling, West Virginia (1988).
Butler is a sealed member of the National Weather Association and the American Meteorological Society. She was named "Woman of the Year" by the Executive Women's Golf Association and has won the Illinois Treasurer's Public Service Award. In 2012, she was honored to receive the Public Education Award from the Illinois Chapter of the MS Society. She was recognized in 2014 with an Emmy Award, along with the ABC 7 Weather Team, for the special "Surviving the Storm."
In 2013, she along with co-director, Scott Woodruff, started a golf outing called The Duke Classic, to honor the memory of long-time ABC 7 cameraman, Michael Dukewich, who passed away in 2012. The outing raised nearly $100,000 to benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository & the Wounded Warrior Project.
Butler promotes the talent of children through her Weather Sketcher's Club, which encourages children to send their weather-related drawings for potential airing on ABC 7 News This Morning. "I LOVE seeing how children express their creativity through markers, crayons, paints and pencils. Their interpretations of weather elements on paper bring new eyes to something that affects us all!" Students ages 13 and younger can send their weather-related drawings to ABC 7, 190 North State Street Chicago, IL 60601.
Butler earned her B.S. in Broadcasting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and was awarded her meteorology certification from Mississippi State University in 2001. She is married and has two children. She loves to golf and often participates in charity golf outings. In addition, she also emcees the annual MS Walk for Charity and the Les Turner ALS Walk for Life. In addition to emceeing events for numerous charities, she is involved with the organization, ReClaim 13, a charity devoted to ending the sexual exploitation of children, and bringing awareness to human trafficking.
She continues to have a love for ABC Daytime's General Hospital and occasionally hosts "Soap Chat" with "fellow soap fan," Diane Pathieu. Their reports can be seen on Facebook.
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Twitter: @TracyButlerABC7
Instagram: @TracyButlerABC7
Tracy's Stories
Plastic bottles used to build classrooms, building for African school founded by Hinsdale woman
A global nonprofit helped build a classroom and reception house out of recycled plastic bottles for a school run by a Hinsdale woman in Tanzania.
Chicago Dogs baseball team owner shares hot dog recipe on Cooking up a Storm
ABC7 Chicago's Tracy Butler was Cooking up a storm Thursday with a couple of summer staples: hot dogs and baseball.
Chicago-based Asian carp dog treat helping save Great Lakes from invasive fish
Dogs are taking the bait! A Chicago-based pet food company is offering up an Asian Carp dog treat.
2025 Strawberry Fest returns for 3 weekends to Hobart, Indiana
A berry sweet Father's Day weekend awaits in Northwest Indiana!
Rescued wildlife animals at Lockport education facility help take bite out of climate change
Rescued wildlife animals in the south suburbs are helping taking a bite out of climate change.
The Plant: Old Chicago meatpacking facility recycled into closed-loop business model
The Plant in Chicago's Back of the Yards is reimagining the future of food and the way we do business.
Loyola University Chicago students provide community with campus-grown food all year round
Students at Loyola University Chicago are using sustainable practices that allow them to grow their own fresh produce right on campus all year long.
Cooking up a Storm: Crab Cakes with Joe's Seafood
ABC7's Tracy Butler cooked up a storm for Valentine's Day with Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab.
Cooking up a Storm with Logan Square's Bar Parisette
Bar Parisette shared their recipe for poached Scottish Salmon with verjus cream on Cooking up a Storm.
Christmas wreaths helping paint a better picture of Chicago's Englewood neighborhood
Christmas wreaths made by youth from Southside Blooms