Feder: Weekend anchor Stacey Baca leaving ABC 7

Stacey Baca, weekend morning news anchor and reporter at WLS-Channel 7, surprised viewers Sunday by announcing her resignation after 20 years at the ABC-owned station.

Her last day will be June 26.

Calling it "the hardest career decision of my life," Baca, 53, told viewers she was leaving to spend more time with her husband, retired naval aviator Todd Gilchrist.

"We are not guaranteed tomorrow, my friends," she said. "I realize my husband and I are incredibly fortunate to step back and take a breath right now. I've joked it's our 'gap year' - maybe so, maybe not. Either way, we are shifting focus, making changes, because what's important right now is clearer than ever. I will be forever grateful for my ABC 7 Chicago journey, but I have to admit, I'm looking forward to what's ahead."

Baca, who grew up in Brighton, Colorado, and graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, worked for the Denver Post, CBS affiliate WTKR in Norfolk, Virginia, and NBC-owned KNSD in San Diego before joining ABC 7 in 2002.

• Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.