Samantha Chatman Wins Regional Emmy for Reporting
The ABC7 Chicago reporter earned an award for her consumer-focused investigative work.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in African-American
Reporter Samantha Chatman received a regional Emmy Award for her investigative journalism on the Sam On Your Side series. This win was part of a larger recognition for ABC7 Chicago, which took home six regional Emmy Awards on Saturday night.
Why it matters
The awards highlight the station's ongoing commitment to business, consumer, and technology reporting in the Chicago area. These accolades serve as a benchmark for local news production quality and journalistic standards.
ABC7 Chicago secured a total of six regional Emmy Awards during the ceremony. Samantha Chatman earned her recognition for Outstanding Achievement for News Gathering in the Business/Consumer/Technology category.
The players
Samantha Chatman
She is a journalist and reporter at ABC7 Chicago known for her investigative series.
ABC7 Chicago
This is a local television station serving the Chicago area that produces news programming.
DJ Sam Chatman
He was a veteran disc jockey who passed away at the age of 85.
The details
Chatman's award-winning work focused on investment resentment, featured within her recurring segment. The recognition comes during a period of personal loss for the reporter following the recent death of her father, DJ Sam Chatman, at age 85.
Timeline
DJ Sam Chatman died between October 18 and October 24, 2026.
ABC7 Chicago received six regional Emmy Awards on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
This recognition aligns with the long-standing industry tradition of the Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy Awards, which serve as the primary validator for broadcast excellence in the region. The awards highlight the shift toward high-impact consumer advocacy in local news.
Viewers can expect continued investigative coverage through the ongoing Sam On Your Side series on ABC7. The win reaffirms the station's role in local consumer advocacy and reporting.
The takeaway
Journalism awards often reflect a station's dedication to providing deeper context on complex consumer issues for the public. Recognizing these achievements helps viewers identify which local outlets are investing in thorough investigative work.
Further reading
For more on the contributions of local community voices, visit the African-American section.
