Tanja Babich is an Emmy Award–winning American journalist and television news anchor best known for her work at ABC7 Chicago (WLS-TV). According to ABC7 Chicago’s official staff profile, she has been with the station since January 2014 and currently serves as a morning and midday anchor on Eyewitness News. Recognized for her factual reporting, multilingual background, and community involvement, Babich has become one of Chicago’s most trusted local news personalities.
Tanja Babich Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Tanja Babich |
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1980 |
| Place of Birth | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | American (naturalized April 2013) |
| Heritage | Serbian and Chilean |
| Education | Cornell University (B.A., Government); Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism (M.S.) |
| Occupation | Television News Anchor, Journalist |
| Employer | ABC7 Chicago (WLS-TV) |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Spouse | Paul Durbin (married July 7, 2018) |
| Children | Three daughters |
| Languages | English, French, Spanish, Serbian |
| Awards | Emmy Award |
| Social Media | Twitter/X: @BabichABC7 · Instagram: @tanjababich |
Early Life and Background
Tanja Babich was born on June 29, 1980, in Toronto, Canada, and raised in a multicultural household. Her family heritage includes Serbian and Chilean roots, and she grew up in an environment where multiple languages and cultural traditions were part of everyday life. As a result, she became fluent in English and French, with working knowledge of Spanish and Serbian.
Babich later immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in April 2013, an important milestone that preceded her national-level broadcasting career.
Education
Babich earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Cornell University, where her academic focus was initially aligned with public service and policy-related fields. Her career direction changed after public-speaking engagements highlighted her communication abilities.
She subsequently applied to the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, one of the most selective journalism programs in the United States, where she completed a Master of Science in Journalism. Her graduate training provided the professional foundation for her broadcast reporting and anchoring career.
Tanja Babich Professional Career
Early Career (2011–2014)
Babich began her professional journalism career in Syracuse, New York, working at WSYR-TV. From 2011 to 2014, she anchored the station’s top-rated morning newscast and also hosted Bridge Street, a weekday morning program focused on community issues, local businesses, and regional stories.
During this period, she gained experience in live television production, breaking news coverage, and interview-based reporting.
ABC7 Chicago (2014–Present)
According to ABC7 Chicago(WLS-TV), Babich joined the station in January 2014 as a general assignment reporter. Her reporting responsibilities included local government, public safety, community issues, and major regional events.
In September 2016, she was promoted to morning news anchor, and in June 2018, she added anchoring duties for the midday newscast.
She currently anchors:
- Eyewitness News in the Morning (4:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.)
- Eyewitness News at 11 a.m.
Her role places her among the primary on-air journalists for one of the largest television markets in the United States.
Notable Reporting Assignments
Throughout her career, Babich has covered a range of nationally and regionally significant events, including:
- Reporting on President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration
- Coverage of Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States
- Investigative reporting related to the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, focusing on its impact on labor unions
- A special assignment flying with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, during which she experienced high-G flight conditions
These assignments contributed to her professional recognition and newsroom leadership role.
Awards and Professional Recognition
Babich is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, as recognized by theNational Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for excellence in broadcast journalism. While specific award categories are not always publicly detailed, her Emmy recognition reflects peer-reviewed standards within the television news industry.
In addition to traditional news broadcasting, she has contributed voice work to media projects such as the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls podcast, expanding her professional work beyond local television.
Community Involvement and Public Service
Babich is actively involved in community-focused initiatives, particularly those supporting education and youth development. She serves on the board of HFS Chicago Scholars, an organization that provides financial assistance and mentorship to high-achieving students from underserved communities.
She is a founding partner of Lake Affect Chicago, a children’s outdoor retreat initiative developed in collaboration with The Wood Family Foundation and Camp Wandawega in Wisconsin. The program focuses on confidence-building and experiential learning for children.
She is also affiliated with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, supporting diversity and representation within media organizations.
Tanja Babich Personal Life
Babich married Paul Durbin on July 7, 2018. She is a mother of three daughters. She maintains a private family life and shares limited personal information publicly, primarily through professional interviews and social media posts.
Her public statements regarding family life emphasize balance between professional responsibilities and parenting, without disclosing private or sensitive details.
Public Advocacy and Health Awareness
Babich has participated in public health awareness efforts, including sharing her own experience with preventive medical screening in order to encourage early detection and informed health decisions. These disclosures were made voluntarily and within a public-education context.
She has also participated in community events such as:
- Emceeing the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Chicago
- Co-hosting the Chicago Pride Parade broadcast on ABC7
Digital and Social Media Presence
Babich maintains an active but professionally focused digital presence:
- Twitter/X: @BabichABC7
- Instagram: @tanjababich
- Facebook: Tanja Babich ABC7
Her social media activity primarily highlights newsroom updates, community events, and publicly shareable professional milestones.
Current Status
As of 2025, Tanja Babich continues to anchor ABC7 Chicago’s morning and midday newscasts. She remains a prominent figure in Chicago local news and continues her involvement in community and educational initiatives.
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FAQ’s
Is Tanja Babich originally from Chicago?
No. She was born in Toronto, Canada, and later became a U.S. citizen.
When did Tanja Babich join ABC7 Chicago?
She joined ABC7 Chicago in January 2014.
What languages does Tanja Babich speak?
She speaks English and French fluently, with conversational proficiency in Spanish and Serbian.
Is Tanja Babich married?
Yes. She married Paul Durbin in July 2018.
What awards has Tanja Babich won?
She is an Emmy Award–winning television journalist.
Disclaimer: This biography is based on publicly available information, professional interviews, and organizational disclosures. Details are presented for informational purposes only.
Ezell is a content writer at Celebsfloor.com with a BA in English from AUF. With eight years of experience in language education and reference writing, he focuses on creating clear definitions for slang, abbreviations, acronyms, and everyday English terms. Ezell believes language should be accessible to everyone, so he writes straightforward explanations that help students, non-native speakers, and everyday readers understand confusing words. His work emphasizes accuracy, clarity, and practical usage examples that show how terms work in real conversations and online contexts.
