Eric Wilson, pictured in January, is no longer on air as anchor of WTVO/FOX 39 news. He continues to work behind-the-scenes in the newsroom. (Photo by Ken DeCoster/Special to the Rock River Current)By Ken DeCoster
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Veteran broadcast journalist Eric Wilson is out as evening news anchor at WTVO/ABC 17 and WQRF/FOX 39 after nearly eight years on the job.
Wilson, who has worked in television news in Rockford for nearly 30 years, has been off the anchor desk since late February but continues to work in the stations’ newsroom for the time being. The company is looking to hire an evening news anchor, a job listing shows.
Wilson declined to comment on his status at the stations. Messages via phone and email on Monday to Michael Silecchia, vice president and general manager of Nexstar’s broadcast and digital operations, were not returned. Nexstar Media Group is parent company to WTVO and FOX 39.
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David Greenberg, co-anchor of the stations’ morning news shows, has anchored or co-anchored WTVO’s evening newscasts in Wilson’s absence. On Feb. 29, Nextstar Media Group posted a job listing for an evening news anchor position at WTVO and FOX 39 in Rockford.
Wilson was hired in May 2016 as co-anchor of WTVO’s 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Mimi Murphy. Wilson has also anchored FOX 39’s hourlong newscast at 9 p.m. and has hosted Stateline Quiz Bowl, a locally produced half hour game show on both stations featuring contestants from area schools.
Wilson, 53, hails from Chicago’s southwest suburbs. His broadcast career in Rockford began in 1993 when he worked as a disc jockey for WZOK radio.
Wilson launched his local television career two years later when he was hired as a weather forecaster for 13 WREX, the local NBC affiliate. He was promoted to co-anchor the station’s evening newscasts in 1999 and served in that role until he was fired in 2014. Wilson filed a lawsuit against WREX shortly after his dismissal. The case was settled before it went to trial.
Wilson has also worked as a real estate broker and as coordinator for new student enrollment at Rock Valley College. He has been an adjunct faculty member at Rock Valley since 2017.
Ken DeCoster is a veteran journalist and freelance reporter for the Rock River Current. Email feedback to news@rockrivercurrent.com.