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
Mexican authorities uncover cross-border tunnel likely used to traffic drugs headed to Chicago area
Mexican authorities found a cross-border tunnel in Tijuana they are now reporting was used to traffic thousands of pounds of drugs across the border into the U.S. Some of those drugs were likely headed to the Midwest and the Chicago area.
Chicago's US Attorney releases rare special report about his contact with 'Broadview Six' grand jury
Boutros claims he only advised grand jurors on their constitutional role, and that he planned to address more grand juries in the Northern District.
Shuttered safety-net hospitals' future unclear after judge rejects leadership change
After Monday's ruling, many community members told the I-Team it is back to square one with no change in leadership for the beleaguered safety net hospitals.
Upcoming ruling could determine future of shuttered West Suburban Medical Center
A contentious court case continues over whether a third party should take over West Suburban Medical Center operations to try to stop a financial tailspin and reopen the hospital after its abrupt closure in March.
Narcoterrorist targets: Authorities credit new working relationship after 'El Chapo' nephew captured
Cartel experts spoke to the ABC7 I-Team about what they call an unprecedented working relationship between the U.S. and Mexico after another leader related to a notorious drug kingpin was captured near the border.
US Attorney had 'personal contact' with Broadview Six grand jury: defense counsel
U.S. District Judge April Perry said last week the actions from prosecutors in the case could lead to sanctions for misconduct and ethical violations.
'Broadview Six' federal prosecutor terminated from Senate committee role over misconduct allegations
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is now taking action against a federal prosecutor after allegations surfaced in court of prosecutorial misconduct related to one of the most controversial criminal cases tied to "Operation Midway Blitz."
US Attorney drops 'Broadview Six' case, defense attorneys claim misconduct by prosecutors
Northern District U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros appeared in court and dismissed the charges against the remaining four members of the "Broadview Six." The alleged misconduct of prosecutors in this case has serious implications for trust in the federal justice system.
Teen suspects in San Diego Islamic Center shooting could be tied to online extremist groups
For months, the ABC7 I-Team has been reporting on sadistic online groups that sow chaos in communities across the globe. Sources tell ABC News the now-dead San Diego Islamic Center shooting suspects may have been connected to similar nihilistic violent extremism online.
Marijuana DUI case dropped over 'erroneous evidence' from UIC drug testing lab
A driver charged in a fatal crash pleaded not guilty and spent nearly a year and a half behind bars as the case crawled through court. Those charges have now been dropped.