I had such a great time at the 10th Annual Garfield Ridge Tree Lighting hosted by the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch. It was wonderful to see neighbors, families, and friends come together to celebrate the season and a decade of this special community tradition. 🎄✨

Episode 24 of the Mendoza Podcast is now LIVE! 🎙️ In this episode, we talk about why the last penny was minted, how much it actually costs to make one, which coins could be next on the chopping block, and so much more.

Happy Hanukkah, Illinois. As candles are lit around the world, we wish all who celebrate a beautiful holiday filled with joy, peace, and unity. 🕎

Our office kicked off the holiday season with our annual Christmas tree lighting. Even more special are the ornaments shared by staff, each one reflecting the people who make this office what it is.

Nothing compares to coming together and giving back during the holidays. Glad to continue this tradition of serving seniors on the West Side of Chicago.

Did you know that the IOC website has a “Check for State Cash” feature? To check out and use this feature go to the IOC website. ¿Conocía este servicio? illinoiscomptroller.gov/constituent-...

Our 11th Annual Christmas Luncheon at the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels was a beautiful reminder of why this is one of my favorite holiday traditions. It was a rewarding day serving seniors in need on the West Side of Chicago.

The U.S. Mint made its last penny for general circulation last month, but that doesn’t mean pennies are gone for good. Join me for the next Mendoza Podcast to discuss what led to the decision and what that means for banks, retailers and you.

My good friend, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka left us too soon 11 years ago today. We do our best every day in this office to live up to the high standard she set as Comptroller. God Bless her for her years of service to the state of Illinois as a legislator, Treasurer and Comptroller.

Here is the Illinois Office of Comptroller’s weekly transparency report. These reports help the public stay up to date with our accounts payable, bill payment cycle and more. As always, find additional information about state finances at my website: illinoiscomptroller.gov.

What a difference a year makes! Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office is seeking and obtaining more jail time for suspects in machine gun and domestic violence cases. Homicides and carjackings are down in large part because of her and her staff’s efforts.

Episode 23 of the Mendoza Podcast is now LIVE! 🎙️ If you’ve ever wondered whether a credit union might be a better fit for your financial needs than a bank, this episode offers a clear, straightforward look at what they can offer.

Always such a fun time at the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago’s annual Christmas Luncheon honoring Fr. Jack Clair of Misericordia, Heart of Mercy with so many of the city’s religious, labor and non-profit leaders. ☘️💚🇮🇪🎄🎅

My prevailing wage staff meets with union groups statewide to ensure workers are paid what they’re owed. This week, they stopped by Chicago Laborers Local 1’s Christmas party to discuss our enforcement work & how to file a Comptroller inquiry if pay on public projects isn’t meeting the law.

Heartbroken to lose Bruce Dold so soon. His tough, thoughtful questions and deep commitment to Chicago and Illinois made us all better. Honored to have known him. My condolences to his wife and daughters. May he rest in God’s peace and eternal glory. www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/03/b...

After a short hiatus, Gale Street Inn in Chicago is officially back! Their ribs are just as incredible as you remember, and it’s great to see the doors open again. Swing by for a bite and stick around for some awesome live music. 📍4914 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL

Thank you to the Latina Exchange for hosting such a great Holiday Dinner Party. It was an honor to speak on the panel & connect with incredible Latina leaders across industries. Many stories were shared, relationships strengthened, & the power of our presence was celebrated.

Did you know the IOC has a Comptroller’s Critters Program? You can learn more on the Illinois Comptroller website. illinoiscomptroller.gov/constituent-...

Today marks 9 years as your Comptroller. From rebuilding the Rainy Day Fund & navigating a budget impasse to eliminating the bill backlog, passing the Debt Transparency Act, earning 10 credit upgrades & paying bills faster than the private sector, it’s been a journey of progress.

It was great attending the 2025 Shepherd of Egypt Gala Dinner, an event with a heartfelt mission to bring hope and support to families in need across Egypt. A beautiful evening with an even more beautiful purpose. Grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

Proud to stand with Latino leaders from across the political spectrum to tackle the pressing issues facing our community and all Americans. Grateful for the chance to moderate a thoughtful panel on safety net programs and state budgets during these unpredictable economic times.

The Arab American Business Association’s 34th Annual Gala was a wonderful evening of recognition and community pride, celebrating excellence and unity across Illinois. This organization continues to uplift & advocate for small business owners, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive.

I had an incredible time at the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation’s 4th Annual Gala! It was great celebrating the rich contributions and lasting impact of the Latino community in Illinois. This year, they gave 25 students scholarships & raised $1.2M!

If you've ever been curious about credit unions...how they work, how they differ from banks, and what they offer...this is the podcast episode for you! Catch the next episode of the Mendoza Podcast this upcoming Monday!

Honored to meet with Asadov Rizo Raupovich, Deputy Governor of Bukhara, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and reinforce Illinois’ commitment to building meaningful international partnerships.

Here is the Illinois Office of Comptroller’s weekly transparency report. These reports help the public stay up to date with our accounts payable, bill payment cycle and more. As always, find additional information about state finances at my website: illinoiscomptroller.gov.

From powerful performances to a crowd full of joy, the Turkish International Festival of Language and Culture was unforgettable. Thank you to everyone who shared their culture and spirit.

Episode 22 of the Mendoza Podcast is now LIVE! 🎙️ This week we dive into estate planning with practical tips on preparing for the unexpected and building long term security.

Cyber Monday kicks off tomorrow with plenty of deals to be had. Just make sure you are shopping safely online by sticking with well known retailers and not falling for deals that seem too good to be true!

It’s a hard topic for many, but an estate attorney can help protect your wishes and make things easier for those you leave behind. In the next episode of the Mendoza Podcast, we discuss the roles of wills and trusts, family dynamics, and why planning ahead matters.

As you scour the ads and get ready to head out for some Black Friday shopping tomorrow, it's always a good idea to think about how much you want to spend. Having a budget and sticking to it can help you avoid overspending and making impulse purchases.

Sending warm Thanksgiving wishes to everyone! May your day be filled with gratitude, peace, and meaningful moments with loved ones. 🧡🦃

The 2025 Cairo Turkey Giveaway was a huge success! This marks the ninth year we’ve been able to coordinate and distribute donations here, and I’m proud to continue this important tradition. Thank you to all of our partners and my incredible staff who help make it possible year after year.

Always a joy to be in Cairo and support this southern Illinois community! A big THANK YOU to LIUNA Laborers' Local 773, the Polish & Slavic Credit Union, IUOE Local 318, and Krispy Kreme for generously providing over 200 turkeys and other food items to share with local families.

The IOC office brought a little extra warmth to the Cairo Women’s Shelter by delivering Thanksgiving dinners to those in need. This incredible organization continues to be a beacon of safety and support for survivors of domestic violence & their children in southern Illinois. 💜

Here is the Illinois Office of Comptroller’s weekly transparency report. These reports help the public stay up to date with our accounts payable, bill payment cycle and more. As always, find additional information about state finances at my website: illinoiscomptroller.gov.

It’s the season of gratitude! 🧡 What are YOU thankful for?

For more holiday shopping tips and a closer look at what drives people to make the purchases they do, check out the latest edition of the Mendoza Podcast: Mind Over Markdown – The psychology of shopping, focusing on behavioral economics and Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

Episode 21 of the Mendoza Podcast is now LIVE! 🎙️ Holiday sales are already underway, and with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, we decided to look at the psychology behind all the shopping madness this time of year.

Did you know that IOC has a program called Culinary Kids that educates students about the benefits of a healthy diet? For more information about the program, visit the IOC website! illinoiscomptroller.gov/constituent-...

A beautiful day filled with music, tradition, and unity at the Turkish International Festival of Language and Culture. Grateful to stand with a community that celebrates diversity and togetherness. #tracesoftime Chicago

Here is the Illinois Office of Comptroller's weekly transparency report. These reports help the public stay up to date with our accounts payable, bill payment cycle and more. As always, find additional information about state finances at my website: illinoiscomptroller.gov.

My staff is at the North America’s Building Trades Unions Career Day in Springfield today, providing information about our efforts to enforce state prevailing wage laws. We want to make sure workers on publicly funded projects are paid fairly so they can provide for their families.

Episode 20 of the Mendoza Podcast ft. Rebecca Thomson is NOW LIVE! Thinking about buying or selling a home? 🏠 This podcast is for you! We discuss tips for getting ready to list as well as starting the search for your new dream home.

November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the rich history and cultural legacies of Native American communities that have shaped this land for generations.

Join me for the next episode of the Mendoza Podcast this Monday, where we discuss the ins & outs of buying and selling a home. What upgrades are worth it before you put your house on the market? How is the current housing market in Illinois? We will talk about all this & more! 🏡