CRYSTAL LAKE – When Rob Elgas took a position as a reporter and fill-in anchor at ABC 7 Chicago last July, he said his goal was simply to contribute in any way he could.

In less than a year, Elgas has earned an opportunity to contribute in a new way. ABC 7 announced Elgas, a 1992 Crystal Lake Central graduate, had been promoted to anchor of its 4 p.m. Eyewitness News on Monday.

In his new role, Elgas will continue to contribute regular reports to the station's 10 p.m. newscast after wrapping up his anchoring duties.

"I was filling in on the anchor desk, but I really enjoy reporting for the 10 p.m. news," Elgas said. "I think it's important. It gets me out in the community."

Elgas will begin co-anchoring the 4 p.m. newscast with Linda Yu on May 26. On the same day, Alan Krashesky will take over the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts following Ron Magers' retirement.

Elgas, a Crystal Lake native, has been in the news business for more than 20 years and in the Chicago market since 2002.

He started his broadcasting career as a photographer for WICD TV in Champaign-Urbana while at the University of Illinois.

He worked for ABC7 in El Paso, Texas, from 1998 to 2002 before returning to Chicago with a job at NBC 5, where he anchored the early-afternoon news and reported for the late-evening news.

Elgas said it was a tough decision to move to ABC, but he said the transition was smoother than expected thanks to welcoming and encouraging co-workers.

When Elgas has returned to McHenry County to speak to aspiring journalists, he said he always advises them to put in the work and learn as many skills possible.

He said versatility comes in handy at his current job, where he covers a wide range of stories and balances everything from anchoring to breaking news to visual storytelling.

"To be able to do this in my hometown is a great privilege, and I don't take it lightly," Elgas said. "I think I've surrounded myself with people who keep me grounded, and if your head gets too big, they put you back in place."

ABC 7 Vice President and News Director Jennifer Graves said Elgas' passion for his community has been a part of his success.

"He's a Chicago-area native who relishes covering news in and around Chicago and has forged a real connection with viewers here," Graves said in a statement. "His on-air warmth, experience and enthusiasm for his work are the same qualities that have made him such an integral part of our newsroom this past year."