John Garcia
Garcia came to ABC 7 from KSAT-TV, the ABC station in San Antonio, Texas, where he co-anchored the morning and noon newscasts (1994). Previously, he worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KXAS-TV in Dallas, Texas (1991-94).
From 1988-91, Garcia served as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Earlier in his career, he was a reporter and weekend anchor at KMID-TV in Midland, Texas (1987-88) and a reporter at KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa (1986-87).
Garcia has been honored with numerous awards, including five Regional Emmys and an Illinois Broadcasters' Association Silver Dome Award. He was chosen for the Drake University Young Alumni Achievement Award. He won recognition from the Associated Press with their award for Best Series and received Best Spot News honors from the Northwest Broadcasters Association. He also won the Dallas Katie Award for spot news.
Garcia serves on the board for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He is past president of the Drake University Journalism National Alumni Board. He has served as a volunteer for the Respiratory Health Association, as well as the 'Character Counts' program in Elmhurst. He is a member of the Chicago Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
An avid runner, Garcia has competed in numerous marathons including the Chicago and Boston marathons.
Garcia is a Chicago native. He earned his B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism in 1986 from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He is married and enjoys spending time with his four daughters.
Find him on Facebook
John's Stories
Ex-Jacobs High School student taken into custody in lunchroom after showing weapon on social media
A student reported seeing video of the 15-year-old boy on social media, holding a gun on campus.
Future of Lockport Township High School unknown after voters reject $85M referendum
The future of Lockport Township High School is the focus of a special meeting Monday after voters rejected an $85 million referendum to renovate the century-old, historic school.
Arlington Heights elementary school nurse fired for giving wrong medicine to student, district says
Attorneys said a elementary school nurse in the north suburbs gave a student a non-prescription drug that included the opioid fentanyl rather than the prescription the student was a supposed to receive.
Group fights to designate Our Lady of Lourdes Church as historic landmark in Uptown
The final mass from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church is scheduled for Sunday, May 19. Parishioners hope that does not signal the end of the historic building.
Chicago weather: 4 animals die in north suburban barn collapse, other severe storm damage reported
Strong thunderstorms raced through the Chicago area Tuesday afternoon, leaving some damage in their wake, including a barn that collapsed in the far north suburbs.
Man charged after trying to strangle woman, calling on dog to attack her in McHenry: prosecutors
The victim is in critical condition and a Good Samaritan is also injured after the unprovoked attack, prosecutors said.
Lawsuit filed in death of man who crashed stolen U-Haul into Chicago river after police pursuit
The family of a man who drowned after crashing a stolen U-Haul truck during a police pursuit is suing the Hammond Police Department.
University of Chicago fossil lab opens in Washington Park
The new University of Chicago fossil lab, which opened Thursday on the South Side, is home to the "Super Croc," a fossil of a 40-foot long crocodile that roamed the Earth about 110 million years ago.
Pritzker aides meet with Bears about new stadium: 'Current proposal is a non-starter for the state'
When the Bears presented their plans for a sparkling new $4.6 billion stadium on the lakefront last week, they said it was contingent on lawmakers in Springfield approving a plan to help pay for it.
What trees do cicadas like? How to protect your young, vulnerable plants from double brood emergence
Billions of cicadas are starting to appear as the double brood emergence begins in Northern Illinois, and protecting young trees is of utmost importance.