Kenneth Barker, aka Chicago Kenny, is a self-described street scholar, history buff, researcher and one who keeps a pulse on all things Chicago, past, present and future.  His background includes various stints in public relations and fundraising and has produced a number of radio commercials. For five years he was the host of a radio program called American News and Views, an investigative news program covering international events and a watchdog exposing government corruption at the national level.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

• Our guests should spend as much time telling their friends about the tour guide as the tour.

• We want visitors to our city to never want to leave.
(Except people from Green Bay.) 

• We believe in making history fun.
(The mind can only absorb what the seat will endure.)

• We believe that a single tour can turn into a journey inspiring hometown residents to explore all Chicago has to offer.

They call me Chicago Kenny and I was born and raised on the north-side of Chicago within walking distance of Wrigley Field. (My great-great-grandfather was in his 20’s when the Cubs won their last World Series, but any team can have a bad century.)

Over the years I have listened to countless residents express their love of our cities downtown, but due to the congestion they fail to make the trip as often as they would like.

Those sentiments have inspired me to design a company that helps people with a beginners to an advanced knowledge of our cities history start, renew or continue their love affair with Chicago.

Back in 1870 a visitor from Scotland named David Macrae once wrote about our city:

“Chicago….what she does she does with all her might. Her good people are very good, her bad people are very bad.”

Telling stories about the “good people of Chicago” is what makes our tours inspiring and informative; the second part of that quote is what makes our tours and events so much fun!