Former Illinois Small Town Sports Reporter Headed to NBC5 Chicago

Once upon a time, Samantha Rivera was lighting up the small screen here in Rockford and now she's headed down the long road of I-90 to join the NBC5 Chicago team. 

We LOVE seeing our former Rockfordians succeed and that's what's happening right now for Samantha Rivera who was once a part of Eyewitness News on WTVO and FOX39.

Samantha was reporting in Rockford from 2018 until the end of the summer in 2020 where she left the Forest City to head to FOX5 in San Diego to continue following her sports reporting dreams.

She then moved from FOX5 to be a part of the San Diego Wave Futbol Club, but now she's headed back home to the Chicago, to join the NBC5 team.

While I didn't work with Samantha directly much when our paths crossed at WTVO/FOX39, I can tell you that all of the times I did get to chat with her were awesome. She's an incredibly nice and very talented sports reporter and I can't wait to see her continue to shine in Chicago.

Samantha made the announcement on social media next week, saying, 'I’m home'

Samantha will join the NBC Sports Chicago and Telemundo Chicago team at the end of September, telling NBC, 'To say I'm elated for this homecoming is an understatement.'

Congratulations, Samantha! Feel free to drive over and visit the Rockford sign anytime!