Thursday July 22, 2004, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Millennium Park opens in Chicago

Thousands of people have flocked to the grand opening of Chicago's new Millennium Park. Amid terraces, a sprawling outdoor music pavilion and a stainless steel pedestrian bridge, visitors swarmed two of the $475 million park's most prominent pieces of art: the Crown Fountain and the legume-shaped "Cloud Gate" sculpture. The fountain, by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa, features the faces of 1,000 Chicagoans projected onto two 50-foot glass towers; periodically the faces on the glass open their mouths and water jets out. Meanwhile, artist Anish Kapoor's 110-ton, steel sculpture reflects both the faces of those who approach it and the city's famous skyline. A crowd gathered Friday under the arch of the sculpture, which was dubbed "The Bean" by visitors, to stare and wave into its spoon-like underbelly. The park opened four years behind schedule with a final cost that is three times the original estimate. Much of the cost was for a 4,000-seat, Frank Gehry-designed pavilion. A dramatic network of curling steel pipes stretches across the pavilion and an adjoining lawn area that increases the capacity of the venue to 11,000. Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" sculpture.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday September 11, 2009, Evanston, Illinois, USA

Obama Political Strategist Peter Giangreco

Obama political strategist Peter Giangreco of The Strategy Group at his office in Evanston, Illinois.

Peter Giangreco

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Tuesday October 2, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

A Day in the Life of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley walks through the Loop on his way to City Hall.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Saturday June 20, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Marion Cotillard

French actress Marion Cotillard won an Academy award in 2007 for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose". Her Hollywood career is since blooming as she co-starred with Johnny Depp in the 2009 gangster film "Public Enemies" and is one of the nine women stars in the musical "Nine", released in December 2009 and for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy. She will next appear in the film Inception, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio to be released July 16, 2010.

Marion Cotillard

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Wednesday December 26, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Corus Bank branches in Chicago

An image of the Corus Bank branch & corporate office in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Thursday January 29, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich returns home

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich speaks to the media and neighbors outside his home in Chicago hours after being voted out of office in his impeachment trial by the Illinois Senate.

Rod Blagojevich

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Thursday December 16, 2004, Chicago, Illinois, USA

New Advances in Artificial Arm Technology at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

Jesse Sullivan, of Dayton, Tennessee, was the first patient to undergo the surgery to enhance use of an artificial arm. Sullivan lost both arms on the job as a lineman for a Tennessee power company who accidentally touched a high tension wire carrying 7400 volts. The accident cost Sullivan both of his arms up to the shoulders. The nerves that once controlled Sullivan's left arm were surgically implanted into his chest muscles since he had no arm muscles at all. On his left side he was outfitted with a Boston Digital Arm and the contacts in the socket of the prosthesis were positioned where the prosthetist finds the strongest EMG signal. Sullivan currently has control over three different mechanical arm and hand functions and is being tested for other sites for contacts as the nerves continue to innervate the muscles. Sullivan prefers to use a type of hand called a Greiffer (or gripper). The arm feels so natural to him that he once yanked off his mechanical hand trying to start the lawnmower. On his right side Sullivan uses an older body-powered mechanical arm with a split hook hand.

Prosthetist Laura Miller helps double amputee Jesse Sullivan put on his artificial arms at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Wednesday December 10, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Unions protest Bank of America in support of laid off workers

Members representing various unions and community organizations protest near the Bank of America building in Chicago, located across the street from President-elect Barack Obama's transition office. The unions chanted "You got bailed out. We got sold out" to express their anger over Bank of America's role in the closing of Republic Windows & Doors in Chicago, where laid off workers are staging a sit-in.

Union members marching in protest of Bank of America holding Pro Union and corporate justice signs

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Wednesday November 5, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Barack Obama becomes 44th US President

Democrat Barack Obama wins the American Presidential election, defeating Republican John McCain, to become the 44th U.S. president. Obama gave his victory speech to a massive crowd of supporters in his home town of Chicago's Grant Park.

Michelle Obama (L), and Jill Biden (R) walk onto the stage to join their husbands after Obama's victory speech after being elected President of the United States before an enormous crowd in Grant Park

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Thursday January 15, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Chicago Goes Into Deep Freeze

Water vapor rises off of Lake Michigan along the Chicago shoreline as temperatures hit ten degrees below zero in the early morning with wind chill factors at 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Temperatures are expected to go even lower this evening.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Tuesday February 5, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Obama rallies voters at 'Super Tuesday' event

Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama (D-IL) and wife Michelle address voters at a "Super Tuesday" rally at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago. The Democratic Primary race turned national on "Super Tuesday," with 22 states holding caucuses or elections. While many thought that today would produce a clear front-runner, early indications seem to show Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) still battling it out, delegate by delegate.

L-R: Barack and Michelle Obama acknowledge the crowd of supporters from the stage.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Thursday November 15, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Chicago's 'Magnificent Mile' offers shoppers and epicureans a slice of heaven

A stretch of Michigan Avenue which serves as the main thoroughfare between Chicago's Loop business district and its Gold Coast, the "Magnificent Mile" includes some of the world's finest restaurants, hotels, and shops.

North Michigan Avenue and the old Chicago tower are the heart of the Magnificent Mile, Chicago's prime shopping district.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

DARIO, NICARAGUA

NICARAGUAN BURN VICTIM

Junior was badly burned on his face and his left arm when the mosquito netting around his bed caught fire in the middle of the night. (photo by Anne Ryan, copyright USA Today)

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Saturday February 10, 2007, Springfield, Illinois, USA

Senator Barack Obama declares candidacy for US President

Senator Barack Obama announces his intentions to run for President of the United States to a jubilant crowd of between 15,000-17,000 people in attendance in front of the old State Capital building on a cold morning in Springfield, Illinois. Headshot of Obama.

Barack Obama

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Tuesday October 2, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

A Day in the Life of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley gives a tour of City Hall's green roof to chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse and others.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Monday September 17, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Sharlisa Brooks for Scholastic

Sharlisa Brooks, 17, in the kitchen of her home on the west side of Chicago. Brooks' best friend was shot and killed in front of his house. She is now very active in her church choir and World Vision.

Sharlisa Brooks seated in the kitchen of her home.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Sunday February 11, 2007, Ames, Iowa, USA

Obama takes on Iowa as presidential run gains momentum

Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks to potential supporters during a rally at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. Earlier in the day, Obama announced his candidacy for president on the steps of the old Illinois State Capitol Building where Abraham Lincoln once practiced law. In a 20-minute speech delivered before thousands of supporters, Obama touched on the perception of some that his lack of experience in national politics could hinder his chances of winning the White House. "I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change."

Michelle Obama holds her daughter Sasha, 5, during her father's speech at a rally.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Wednesday January 21, 2009, St. Charles, Illinois, USA

Former United Airlines Captain Denny Fitch

Portrait of Captain Denny Fitch, the off-duty DC-10 training captain who helped pilot United Airlines Flight 232 which crash landed in Sioux City, Iowa in 1989. All hydraulic controls on the plane were lost due to catastrophic failure in one of the engines. Fitch, traveling as a passenger, offered to assist Captain Al Haynes and crew fly the plane to Sioux City using differential throttle adjustment, the longest time aloft without flight controls. 185 out of the 296 people on-board survived the crash landing.

Captain Denny Fitch

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Tuesday November 3, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Chicago Tribune Bankruptcy

The Chicago Tribune tower which houses, which The Chicago Tribune newspaper and WGN radio. The Tribune company declared bankruptcy in December 2008.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday April 25, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Ty Tabing, Executive Director of Chicago Loop Alliance

Ty Tabing, Executive Director of Chicago Loop Alliance, photographed at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Ty Tabing, Executive Director of Chicago Loop Alliance

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday September 18, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Chicago bids for 2016 Olympics

Cecilia Butler, president of the Washington Park Advisory Council in Washington Park. The area behind her is where the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics facilities would be built. Butler supports Chicago's bid for the the 2016 Olympics. The decision will be announced Oct. 2 in Copenhagen.

Cecilia Butler in Washington Park

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday September 18, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Chicago bids for 2016 Olympics

Vanessa Ramirez, left, and Jennifer Paukovits, both of Chicago, view the Chicago skyline from a peninsula that jutts into Lake Michigan. Chicago is one of four finalist cities in the vying for the 2016 Olympics. The decision will be announced Oct. 2 in Copenhagen.

Lake Michigan and Chicago skyline

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday September 4, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Rod Blagojevich

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich discussed his term as governor, his impeachment, and his new book during an interview. Following, he stopped to greet Chicagoans and tourists on Michigan Avenue while leaving the interview.

Rod Blagojevich

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Monday October 8, 2007, Chicago, Illinois, USA

George Efstathiou aims high in design of world's tallest building

George Efstathiou, managing partner at the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architecture firm, posing with renderings of the Burj Dubai building at his Chicago office. Efstathiou is managing the construction of the Burj Dubai, which will be the tallest building in the world once completed.

George Efstathiou standing in Chicago's Millenium Park.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Wednesday April 4, 2007, Urbandale, Iowa, USA

Governor Mitt Romney Campaigns in Iowa

Governor Mitt Romney talks to listeners on Michael McKoy's radio show at WOW FM in Urbandale, Iowa.

Mitt Romney speaks to listeners on a radio show.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Saturday June 20, 2009, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Marion Cotillard

French actress Marion Cotillard won an Academy award in 2007 for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose". Her Hollywood career is since blooming as she co-starred with Johnny Depp in the 2009 gangster film "Public Enemies" and is one of the nine women stars in the musical "Nine", released in December 2009 and for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Musical or Comedy. She will next appear in the film Inception, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio to be released July 16, 2010.

Marion Cotillard

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Thursday April 24, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Thomas Pritzker, Chairman of Global Hyatt Corporation

Portrait of Thomas Pritzker, Chairman of Global Hyatt Corporation, photographed at Millennium Park in Chicago.

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

HANOI, VIETNAM

HANOI VIETNAM ORPHANAGE

A nurse tends to several babies at once as she lays them out for a stretch at Cau Gai orphanage in Hanoi, Vietnam. (photo by Anne Ryan, copyright USA Today)

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Friday March 28, 2008, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork Media, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Pitchfork now receives an audience of more than 240,000 readers per day, and more than 1.5 million unique visitors per month, making it the most popular independent-focused music publication online.

Ryan Schreiber (L), Chris Kaskie (C), and Scott Plagenhoef (R) of Pitchfork Media

Credit: Anne Ryan / Polaris

Anne Ryan

Anne Ryan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She has spent half of her 20-year career as a staff photographer for USA Today. As one of only six USA Today staff photographers she covered major events all over the country and around the world. She has covered four Olympics, nine Superbowls, major hurricanes and other spot news, political conventions, several World Series and all six Chicago Bulls NBA Championships. In September 2000 she decided to go out on her own as a freelance photographer. Anne continues her close relationship with USA Today as a contract photographer, but she is not restricted from working for other publications.

Anne began her photojournalism career as a junior at the University of Illinois. During college she was a photo intern at the Palm Beach Post in West Palm Beach, Florida and the State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois. Upon graduation she was hired as a staff photographer at the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She worked there as a general assignment photographer for five years. In May 1990 she returned home to Chicago when she accepted a staff position at USA Today. She has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize by both the Sun-Sentinel and USA Today.

Anne also speaks Italian and Spanish and has done assignments in both languages. She and her husband John Zich, also a photojournalist, have three sons.

Personal web site of Anne Ryan