Names in the News: ABC Weatherman Jerry Taft Visits Lemont Rotary Club

Longtime ABC 7 Chicago weatherman Jerry Taft paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Lemont-Homer Glen on Tuesday, sharing stories from his 30-year career and time in the military.

Taft, who lives in Lemont's Ruffled Feathers Estates, has been the weather anchor for ABC 7 (WLS-TV) since 1984. Prior to that, he spent seven years at NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) and served 15 years in the United States Air Force.

During his time in the service, Taft earned a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

He attributes his career as a weather anchor to being at the right place at the right time.

"A lot of kids go to school for meteorology or broadcasting, and end up trying to figure out how to get their foot in the door," he said. "Sometimes it's just a fluke. I tell kids to get an education so they have the right qualifications, that way if something lucky happens they are qualified for the job."

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