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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Tracy's Stories
Cooking Up A Storm: Making shrimp de Jonghe, Old Fashioned with Tom's Steakhouse
ABC7 Chicago meteorologist Tracy Butler was cooking up a storm Thursday with an old school restaurant.
ABC Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee, ABC7 Meteorologist Tracy Butler climate chat
"I rent, and then I also just shop my own closet, I've even started borrowing from friends," says ABC Meteorologist Ginger Zee.
Climate change is real according to most Cook County residents; here's what they're doing about it
Most Chicago area residents say they are worried about climate change. Here's what they're doing about it.
Chicago weather: Illinois leads nation in number of tornadoes this year, NIU professor says
Illinois leads the country in the number of tornadoes this year.
Russian Tea Time celebrates 30 years offering afternoon tea service in the Loop
Russian Tea Time at Michigan and Adams in the Loop offers daily afternoon tea service and traditional Russian snacks.
Fashion emergency: 'Rescue' old clothes from heading to landfills, becoming toxic waste
There's a fashion emergency happening in your closet! Here's how to rescue your old clothes and stop them from becoming toxic waste.
Cooking up a Storm: Chicago cooking school chef shares pasta recipe
ABC7 Chicago's Tracy Butler was cooking up a storm Thursday with the founder of a new cooking school in Chicago.
Chicago's Native American youth reclaim, cleanse vacant land through First Nations Garden
"If the land takes care of us, then it's our responsibility to take care of the land."
Chicago nonprofit Emerald South beautifying vacant land with 'Lots of Compassion'
Vacant lots are scattered all over the city. More than eyesore, studies link them to increased violence.
Scientist explains how warming stripes raise awareness of climate change
Monday is "Show Your Stripes Day," but we don't mean of the patriotic variety.