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
Months after Chicago business owner dies in ICE custody concerns over medical care abound
While some ICE detainees have since been deported, or after legal fights returned home to Chicago, one man will never return home.
Derek Mayer returning as special agent in charge at US Secret Service Chicago Field Office
Derek Mayer is returning as the special agent in charge after working in private security for the past year.
I-Team: ICE Detention Deaths Rising
New concerns about immigration detention center deaths. A local family fights for answers. Mark Rivera and the I-Team investigate, Monday at 10 p.m.
Mexican officials prepare for legal battle over deaths of citizens during US immigration enforcement
Mexico's government is emphasizing diplomacy is not enough to stem the rising tide of Mexican nationals who have died in ICE custody or were killed during immigration operations in the U.S., including a man in Illinois.
US Attorney Andrew Boutros admonished by judge over handling of case involving Venezuelan gang
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros appeared before a federal judge Thursday morning. There are questions over the top prosecutors handling of a sealed case involving a Venezuelan gang.
Vital university researchers in Chicago facing uncertainty over required special visas, work permits
Since the start of President Donald Trump's second term, university researchers and scientists tell the ABC7 I-Team it has been a non-stop roller coaster for those who require visas to work in labs at leading Chicago institutions.
Attorneys drop out of West Suburban hospital legal fight citing 'fundamental disagreements'
Attorneys representing one of the owners of a shuttered safety-net hospital embroiled in a court battle have asked to withdraw from the proceedings, citing "fundamental disagreements" with their client.
Postal trucks parked illegally in Lincoln Park drawing renewed safety concerns, alderman says
The I-Team found truck after truck illegally parked on snowy streets Monday, and on two separate days in the past week, even after securing a lease at a nearby parking garage and transitioning to smaller vehicles that can fit in it.
Nearly 200 charged in anti-violence initiative in Chicago, Rockford: US attorney
The U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of Illinois on Thursday announced what it called a first-of-its-kind, multiagency enforcement effort that resulted in nearly 500 people being taken off the streets over the past two months.
Cook County sheriff says dedicated CTA police force may be needed for safety improvements
A surge in Cook County Sheriff's Police patrols on Chicago Transit Authority trains is producing hundreds of arrests and citations, and Sheriff Tom Dart says a dedicated transit police force may ultimately be necessary to sustain long‑term safety improvements.