Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza Visits Upper School Clubs

Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza spoke with Upper School students from the Politics Club and Parker Democrats this week. Mendoza talked about growing up in Chicago, her long career in Illinois politics and prospects for her future, including a possible mayoral run, as she finishes out her term as the state comptroller. 

 

Mendoza described growing up in Little Village as the child of Mexican immigrants and entering politics at a young age. She served as a state representative for a decade before becoming the first woman elected to city clerk. During her time as clerk, she showed her problem-solving abilities by revamping the city’s processes for vehicle stickers. She took these skills to the next level when she became comptroller in 2016, adding transparency to the role and reframing the state’s way of paying bills to support the most vulnerable first. 

 

Mendoza then spoke about what public service means to her and the possibility of running for mayor in the next election. She spoke to the city’s potential, the importance of public safety and that “we’re all in this together.” She said, “We have to have a mentality of growth.”

 

Whether Mendoza runs for mayor or not, she made her love for the city very clear, and public service is likely to be part of whatever she chooses to do next. Parker is grateful to Mendoza for speaking to students. Her dedication to democracy coincides with the school’s mission to educate students to act as courageous citizens. 

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