Mark Rivera
Upon his arrival to the station, former News Vice President Jennifer Graves described Mark as a "skilled anchor and a versatile reporter adept at covering everything from big breaking news stories, to politics and feature stories." Rivera grew up in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
Rivera also reports with the ABC7 Chicago I-Team.
The first major live story Rivera covered for ABC 7 Eyewitness News was the funeral and procession of slain police Cmdr. Paul Bauer in 2018. He anchored ABC 7's on-air coverage for more than three hours as Bauer was honored by the city and its residents.
Rivera comes to ABC 7 from WTSP-TV in Tampa, Florida, where he served as the station's weekend morning news anchor and political reporter. While on the anchor desk there, he provided six hours of compelling non-stop coverage of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in nearby Orlando. As the station's political reporter, he covered Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton campaign rallies, questioned Vice President Mike Pence about Russian influence and co-moderated a heated congressional debate. In addition to the political beat, Rivera has reported on a wide range of stories from the hurricanes that devastated Florida to a family whose son is a five-organ transplant survivor.
Prior to WTSP, Rivera worked at WAND-TV in Decatur, Illinois where he anchored a two-hour daily newscast, reported breaking news and wrote, edited and reported a weekly feature piece focused on the local community. While at WAND, Rivera won a regional Associated Press Award.
Rivera is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
He, his wife Alissa, and their dog Xena live in the Chicago area. They enjoy running and exploring all of the diners, coffee shops and taco spots Chicago has to offer.
Mark's Stories
Officer with most misconduct complaints in CPD now behind bars, accused of attacking girlfriend
A Chicago police officer who is named in dozens of misconduct complaints and a member of a controversial tactical team is now behind bars.
9 of 56 cases unsolved after decomposed bodies found at Chicago funeral home: Inside look at process
In an exclusive interview with the ABC7 I-Team, Cook County Medical Examiner Dr. Ponni Arunkumar said the discovery represents an unprecedented challenge during her tenure.
Chicago FBI warns of threat of new ransomware attacks
Chicago FBI's cyber squad is on the front lines of a digital war against an international cyber mafia.
Itasca police officer accused of misusing Flock technology, no longer employed by department
The ABC7 I-Team has learned a Chicago-area police officer is out of a job following potential misuse of the controversial Flock law enforcement technology. Meanwhile in a separate case, a former deputy is facing misconduct charges.
Uncanny parallels between recent Chicago funeral home decomposing bodies discovery, past case
The 2012 Carter Funeral Chapel tragedy raised questions about whether state oversight failures led to deplorable conditions and neglect at a Chicago funeral home; the same questions now being raised more than a decade later with South Chicago Chapel.
Retail theft ringleader recruited addicts in homeless shelters to steal: Cook Co. Sheriff's Police
A major bust by investigators uncovered a multistate crime organization they say started in Chicago. The Cook County Sheriff's Office tells the ABC7 I-Team the ringleader recruited drug addicts in area shelters to steal merchandise.
Man pleads guilty to hate crime charge in 2024 DePaul University attack on 2 Jewish students
A second man has pleaded guilty in a violent attack on two Jewish students at DePaul University in November 2024.
Harvey expands police surveillance network with Flock camera technology amid privacy concerns
While some cities are canceling contracts with police surveillance giant Flock, one Chicago-area suburb is embracing it. Law enforcement gave the ABC7 I-Team the first look at its new real-time crime system.
Legal firepower from Chicago plays pivotal role in bid to dismiss Comey case tied to Instagram post
A motion to dismiss the case against former FBI Director James Comey is drawing attention to the role of Chicago's former U.S. Attorney Pat Fitzgerald, now helping lead Comey's defense.
Surge of threats against political protectees at historic level, Secret Service says
The head of the U.S. Secret Service says the agency has investigated 10,000 threats so far this year. The special agent in charge of the Chicago Field Office told the ABC7 I-Team agents are tracking people down in person to investigate.