June 26, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Chicago reports increased visitor spending

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

Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments

Asylum advocates disappointed by Supreme Court arguments

By Emily Rodriguez and Andrew RiceThe Center Square Immigration asylum advocates expressed disappointment with justices on the Supreme Court after arguments Tuesday regarding asylum protections. The case, Noem v. Al...
IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

IL House GOP asks “Have you had enough yet” following student’s murder

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – After the alleged murder of a Loyola University student by a migrant who was in the country...
EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended

EXCLUSIVE: 5-year anniversary of Operation Lone Star, nearly 540,000 apprehended

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square Texas’ border security mission, Operation Lone Star, reached a milestone in March, its five-year anniversary. Gov. Greg Abbott first launched OLS in March 2021, in...
Many Republicans say proposed bipartisan DHS funding deal 'impossible'

Many Republicans say proposed bipartisan DHS funding deal ‘impossible’

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Senate Republican leaders appear close to reaching a Department of Homeland Security funding deal with Democrats, but many rank-and-file Republicans view the proposed compromise as...
Mullin sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security

Mullin sworn in as secretary of Homeland Security

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square As the Department of Homeland Security nears 40 days since a government stalemate shut it down, Markwayne Mullin has been sworn in as the ninth...
Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

Gas spike continues for Illinoisans; state leaders offer no plan to help yet

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – As fuel prices continue rising, government leaders in Illinois have responded to growing concern over the impact...
BREAKING: Minnesota sues feds for evidence in Metro Surge shootings

BREAKING: Minnesota sues feds for evidence in Metro Surge shootings

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square Minnesota filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for refusing to share evidence regarding three...
Supreme Court appears to favor Trump's asylum border policy

Supreme Court appears to favor Trump’s asylum border policy

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court appeared in favor of the Trump administration's policy to prevent immigrants making asylum claims from being processed if they are on...
NASA plans to build $20 billion base on the Moon

NASA plans to build $20 billion base on the Moon

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square NASA has abandoned its plans to build a lunar-orbiting space station and will instead use those resources to construct a $20 billion permanent base on...
HUD launches investigation into race-based Washington housing program

HUD launches investigation into race-based Washington housing program

By Tim ClouserThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched a fair-housing investigation into the Washington State Housing Finance Commission Tuesday over its race-based Covenant Homeownership...
Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

Illinois lagging the nation for entrepreneurship, economic growth

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois Policy Institute’s Josh Bandoch says he could have easily predicted the state would rank as...
Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

Illinois Quick Hits: Iowa PA license wait times half of Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing says the state’s average wait time for new physician...
State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

State attorneys general blame feds for rising gas prices, Trump admin pushes back

By Dave Mason | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) - It’s up to the federal government to stop hikes in gas prices, according to Democratic attorneys general...
Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

Union president: TSA workers want to be paid, not replaced by ICE

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Federal immigration law enforcement officers have joined Transportation Security Administration workers at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago....
Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

Illinois Quick Hits: DHS wants migrant charged with killing to remain in custody

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is asking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago officials to not release...