Mark Rivera
Upon his arrival to the station, 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.
The first major live story Rivera covered for ABC 7 Eyewitness News was the funeral and procession of slain police commander, Paul Bauer in 2018. He anchored ABC 7's on-air coverage for more than three hours as Commander 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 5-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 city. They enjoy running and exploring all of the diners, coffee shops, and taco spots Chicago has to offer.
Mark's Stories
Family reopens McCook motel after business destroyed by 2023 tornado: 'Future is brighter than ever'
ABC7's Mark Rivera was there during the worst moments of the Patel family's lives, the ones when only a hug can comfort.
Crime, including violent crime, is trending down in one of Chicago's most dangerous districts
Chicago's 11th police district is one of the most dangerous in the city for violent crimes, but new Chicago police data shows both violent and property crimes are trending down.
Afro-Latinx particle physicist at Batavia Fermilab aims to create opportunities for her community
As an Afro-Latinx person with a PhD in particle physics working on cutting edge science at Fermilab in Batavia, Jessica Esquivel knows she's a trail blazer and a barrier breaker, not in spite of her identity, but because of it.
Invert Chicago's proposal to build underground development on Southeast Side hits legal obstacle
The Invert Chicago is a company pushing to convert a former 144 acre steel mill and brownfield site at the edge of the Calumet River into a massive underground development.
Pro-Palestinian protesters hold final march on Chicago Democratic National Convention
Thousands of protesters gathered once again at Union Park Thursday, before taking to the streets on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The demonstration ended peacefully.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march on DNC near United Center, rally in Union Park
Thousands marched on the Democratic National Convention Wednesday night. The group planned to travel to Park 578 near the United Center, but they were turned away by Chicago police and funneled back to Union Park.
Several arrested as pro-Palestinian, anti-DNC protesters confront CPD near Israeli Consulate: VIDEO
A crowd of about 200 protesters attempted to break through a police bike line and clashed with officers.
Protesters breach fence line near United Center on 1st day of DNC; at least 4 arrested
Protesters breached a fence line outside the United Center Monday evening, on the first day of the Democratic National Convention.
Machine in Chicago mimics cow's stomach to divert thousands of tons of food waste from landfills
What's an anaerobic digester? Chicago has one that mimics the inside of a cow's stomach and is helping divert thousands of tons of food waste form landfills.
Hundreds attend Taeyoung Kim arraignment for crash that killed Glenbrook South senior Marko Niketic
Hundreds gathered Thursday at the arraignment for Taeyoung Kim, who is charged in the death of Glenbrook South High School student Marko Niketic.