Cheryl Burton

Burton was born at Provident Hospital in Chicago, the fourth of five children to Hattie, a Chicago Public Schools teacher[1] and Simpson Burton, a U.S. Air Force veteran. For high school, Burton attended and graduated from Lindblom Technical High School (now known Lindblom Math & Science Academy) in 1980. Burton graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where she received her B.S. in Psychology and Biology.[2] She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. In 2007, she was the first alumnus inducted into the school's hall of fame.[3]

Prior to Burton beginning her career in broadcasting, she was on television on Romper Room, as a contestant on Star Search, and hosted an hour long cable TV show called Simply Elegant.[2] Burton's broadcasting career began in 1989 at WGN-TV in Chicago where she co-anchored "MBR: The Minority Business Report", a nationally syndicated weekly series. In 1990, she moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she worked as a reporter at WMBD-TV. From 1990 to 1992, she was an anchor at KWCH-DT in Wichita, Kansas. Burton joined WLS-TV in 1992 as weekend co-anchor/reporter. In 2003, she was promoted to 5 p.m. weekday co-anchor and 10 p.m. contributing anchor with Ron Magers and Kathy Brock. In addition to being on television, Burton was a cheerleader. She was part of the Chicago Honey Bears cheerleading squad for the Chicago Bears for three seasons from 1983-1986.[4] On June 12, 2018, WLS-TV announced that Burton will replace retiring anchor Kathy Brock as the 10pm anchor alongside Alan Krashesky. Burton anchored the 5pm show and 7pm show on WCIU-TV until it was discontinued in 2019. Due a comment by Mark Giangreco, Cheryl complained to management which led to his termination.

Burton was the first recipient of the 2005 "Sisters in the Spirit" Award, a religious award. She was also the recipient of the 2009 Procter & Gamble Award for her outstanding community service. In 2008, Burton won the NABJ (National Association of Black Journalist) Salute to Excellence International. In the year of 2004 and 2005, she was honored with the Thurgood Marshall Award. Also in 2004, the Chicago Association of Black Journalist (CABJ) honored Burton with the Russ Ewing Award for her coverage on the E2 nightclub tragedy. In 1998, she was honored for her profession with the Kizzy Image and Achievement Award. Burton received the Phenomenal Woman Award in 1997, and she was also awarded CABJ for coverage on the Million Man March. Burton volunteer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. She is also public speaker for the students of the Chicago Public Schools. She is a participant in the Rush-Presbyterian/St. Luke's fashion show. Burton is also a board member of the Life with Lupus Guild.[5]