Beloved Chicago Reporter Leaving Station For 'New Adventure'

CHICAGO — NBC 5 reporter Lauren Petty will be leaving the station this week, she announced Monday on social media.

“After 22 years in television, tomorrow is my last day on the air. I’m leaving NBC 5 to pursue a new adventure outside of broadcasting,” she wrote. “I’m ready for a role that allows me more flexibility to be there for my three daughters and my husband, Doug.”

Petty joined NBC 5 in 2012 and, since 2019, has mainly covered health and wellness.

A native of Burr Ridge, she attended the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and later received a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She previously worked at WVIT in Hartford, WICD in Champaign and CNN International in London.

“While growing up in the suburbs, my dream was always to work on television in Chicago,” Petty wrote. “My dream came true when NBC 5 called nearly 13 years ago. I will forever be grateful.”