Mary Patchin, President u0026 CEO at Chicago Southland Convention And Visitor's Bureau | LinkedIn
Mary Patchin, President u0026 CEO at Chicago Southland Convention And Visitor's Bureau | LinkedIn
This appropriation represents state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1986, Chicago Southland Convention And Visitors Bureau states that its mission is: “Visit Chicago Southland promotes the region’s communities as an exceptional destination for meetings, events and leisure pursuits while advocating for the development of outstanding, inclusionary experiences that attract visitors and residents alike.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $3,025,410 in total revenue, including $2,026,280 in contributions—entirely from government grants across federal, state, or local sources—making up 67% of its revenue.
At the beginning of 2024, Chicago Southland Convention And Visitors Bureau had $2,759,510 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $4,320,080, indicating a significant 56.6% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Chicago Southland Convention And Visitors Bureau increased in the last year. The group received $1,698,110 in government grants in 2023, compared to $2,026,280 in 2024—an increase of 19.3% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Chicago Southland Convention And Visitors Bureau is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Aemish Patel | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Annie Byrne | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Cj Whitten | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Conrad Kiebles | Member |
| 2024-2024 | David Gonzalez | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Deanne Jaffrey | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Derrick Champion | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Edward Gross | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Frank Fleischer | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Hugh O'Hara | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Jodi Kennedy | Member |
| 2024-2024 | John Watson | Member |
| 2024-2024 | John Ryan | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Lana Rogachevkaya | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Lavern Murphy | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Maureen Forte | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Mike Fish | Vice Chairma |
| 2024-2024 | Nicholas Halikas | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Paul Cantrelle | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Paul Ruane | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Richard Brink | Chairman |
| 2024-2024 | Richard Reinbold | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Rocco Mossuto | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Roy Patel | Member |
| 2024-2024 | Vicky Smith | Secretary |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Megan Leigh Balbach | Sales And Marketing Intern | - |
Alerts Sign-up