Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago reports increased visitor spending

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago reports increased visitor spending

June 26, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Chicago’s destination marketing organization says the city welcomed 56.8 million visitors in 2025 and generated a record-setting $21.5 billion in visitor spending.

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association said the data from Choose Chicago shows modest growth, but the city’s numbers lag pre-pandemic levels.

IHLS President & CEO Michael Jacobson said Chicago hotels face challenges in the form of higher operating costs, growing property taxes and overburdensome regulations.

INVESTMENT ADVISOR INDICTED

An Illinois investment advisor has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling clients in a Ponzi scheme.

Prosecutors say Paaris Kopsaftis, 42, of Charlotte, North Carolina, fraudulently solicited and obtained money from victims when he operated Illinois-based Blackwater Assets, Inc. from 2020 to 2025.

A status hearing is set for July 15.

MORE AMERICA 250 EVENTS ANNOUNCED

A new state government website and social media channels are dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias said the new America 250 web page lists a schedule of events taking place at the Capitol Complex in Springfield.

The Illinois State Archives launched social media channels to bring the state’s history to new audiences and engage residents in the commemoration.

WIZ KHALIFA TICKETS GO ON SALE FOR BOTH ILLINOIS STATE FAIRS

Wiz Khalifa is scheduled to take the stage at both the Illinois State Fair and the Du Quoin State Fair in August.

Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Saturday for the hip hop performer’s show at the Illinois State Fair Grandstand on Aug. 19. Tickets are already on sale via Ticketmaster for Wiz Khalifa’s performance at the Du Quoin State Fair on Aug. 29.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

FBI arrests eight accused of 'terrorizing' U-M leaders, Jewish Federation

FBI arrests eight accused of ‘terrorizing’ U-M leaders, Jewish Federation

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal authorities have arrested eight people connected to the University of Michigan after a federal grand jury indicted them for threatening university officials, businesses and...
Colorado's only ICE detention center operator sues state

Colorado’s only ICE detention center operator sues state

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square Colorado’s new law allowing for more inspections at immigration detention centers is being challenged by a company that runs the state’s lone facility. The GEO...
U.S. House fails to renew spy powers authority as World Cup begins

U.S. House fails to renew spy powers authority as World Cup begins

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square A U.S. House vote to extend the federal government’s authority to conduct mass electronic surveillance failed Thursday. The three-week extension of Section 702 of the...
House panel opposes adding U.S. Supreme Court justices

House panel opposes adding U.S. Supreme Court justices

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary recently passed an Arizona congressman's resolution to keep the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. H.J. Res....
Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

Schools face bus funding, cost challenges

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Public schools are facing bus transportation challenges due to higher costs and a shortage of drivers. State...
Ohio pulls 1,200 commercial truck licenses for immigration guidelines

Ohio pulls 1,200 commercial truck licenses for immigration guidelines

By David BeasleyThe Center Square The state of Ohio is downgrading the commercial driver’s license of 1,200 foreign-born truck drivers for failing to meet new federal requirements on documenting proof...
First fugitive on FBI's 'Most Wanted Fraudsters' list surrenders in Minneapolis

First fugitive on FBI’s ‘Most Wanted Fraudsters’ list surrenders in Minneapolis

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Federal authorities announced the first arrest from the FBI’s newly-launched “Most Wanted Fraudsters” list was made in Minneapolis. Said Abdullahi Ereg, who was indicted in...
Pentagon on lockdown due to 'hazardous materials incident'

Pentagon on lockdown due to ‘hazardous materials incident’

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square The Pentagon is on lockdown, with hazmat on site after air-quality issues were detected, possibly hazardous material found inside the heart of America’s defense industry....
Survey: Parents value life skills, support for school choice

Survey: Parents value life skills, support for school choice

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square Americans and parents continue to value career readiness and life skills for their children and continue to support Education Savings Accounts for school choice, according...
‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

‘Family Month’ backer cites biology, declining birth rates in defense of resolution

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Family Institute Executive Director David Smith is praising a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mary Miller...
Supreme Court affirms Washington venue in falsification trial

Supreme Court affirms Washington venue in falsification trial

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision on Thursday, ruled that an individual charged with falsification of a document, must be tried in the...
Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

Aldermen say lawmakers failed to address illegal cannabis sales near schools

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As the Chicago City Council’s public safety committee moved forward with an ordinance that would increase penalties...
Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

Illinois Quick Hits: Oak Park woman charged with child care fraud

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Oak Park woman is charged with defrauding the state of Illinois out of more than $30,000...
Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

Florida attorney general appeals Chicago judge’s ‘lawless’ transgender ruling

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square Saying a Chicago federal judge overstepped his constitutional authority, Florida's state attorney general has asked a federal appeals court to quickly reverse...
Congressman calls out Chicago schools' academic woes

Congressman calls out Chicago schools’ academic woes

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Macquline King testified before Congress that math and reading proficiency rates for CPS...