Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has released a new tourism video, this time focusing on Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. The video features Mendoza and WCPT 820 AM radio host Richard Chew as they visit several local businesses and landmarks.
The tour includes stops at Valois Restaurant, known for being one of President Obama’s favorites, 57th Street Books, Roux, Medici on 57th, Kilwin’s, Cinco Rabanitos, Bond Chapel, and the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. Mendoza marked the start of Black Heritage Month by presenting a check for $557,996.73 to the DuSable museum.
“I love recording these videos and showing the public what Illinois is all about – unique experiences, vibrant neighborhoods and fascinating people,” said Comptroller Mendoza. “My goal is to increase excitement about places that may not be traditionally thought of as tourist destinations.”
Former Senator and Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun and Western Illinois farmer Dick Bigger Jr. appear as special guests in the video. Other highlights from the tour include Ja’ Grill, the University of Chicago, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chant Restaurant, and Seminary Co-op Bookstore.
“Helping generate revenue for these businesses is good for the local and state economy, which increases revenues that help me pay the state’s bills,” said Comptroller Mendoza.
Mendoza has previously highlighted other Illinois neighborhoods such as Little Village, Asia on Argyle, Chinatown, Southeast Side of Chicago, Southern Illinois towns like Morton and Du Quoin during their state fairs, as well as Galesburg, Springfield, Kaskaskia and Vandalia in earlier years. These videos are available on her YouTube channel.
The Illinois State Comptroller serves as the chief financial officer for Illinois by managing records and payments across statewide operations from offices in Springfield and Chicago while providing public access to expenditure data through online portals to promote transparency (official website). The office processes over 1.5 million payments annually while overseeing financial transactions throughout all counties in Illinois (official website). It also maintains fiscal oversight by tracking borrowing and expenditures through tools like the Illinois Debt Registry (official website).
The Comptroller’s responsibilities include promoting accountability by delivering transparent financial reports that inform policymakers (official website) while protecting taxpayer interests with precise data reporting (official website).
A bloopers reel from recent filming sessions is also available alongside other tourism content.
