|
 Designed
to support local festivals and attractions and drive tourism across
the state, Illinois increased the funding available from $15 million
to $22.5 million in order to support additional attractions. The
additional $7.5 million was secured during the Illinois General
Assembly legislative session in early January 2023 and the program
is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
In Logan County the City of
Atlanta Tourism will receive $37,584 for the construction of a new
Route 66 Land of the Giants Rest Stop on the grounds of the American
Giants Museum.
The Logan County Tourism Bureau
will receive $25,187 for improvements to the Mill Museum on Route 66
in Lincoln.
“Illinois is the best place in the nation to visit,
and now that people are finding that out through our marketing, our
tourism economy is booming,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The
Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program has been a vital part
of that success by restoring and enhancing the great events across
our state that draw visitors from around the world. When we invest
in projects like these — it reverberates beyond just one event or
exhibit. It benefits entire communities — from small businessowners
who get to attract more customers to families with young children
who get to enjoy all that Illinois has to offer.”
This second round of the Tourism Attractions and
Festivals Grant program provides grant funding to localities,
organizations, and businesses for a broad range of tourism-related
improvements, events and activities. This builds upon $10 million in
funding through the first round of the grant program provided to 40
localities across the state. Combined with Illinois’ largest-ever
tourism campaign, ‘Middle of Everything,’ Illinois is prioritizing
investing in our thriving tourism industry while driving millions of
visitors to choose Illinois for their next trip.
“Anyone looking for a great experience can find it in Illinois, from
the best state fairs in the country to unique outdoor festivals,
attractions, and museums,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton.
“Thank you, Governor Pritzker, DCEO, and members of the General
Assembly for making this funding possible that supports tourism and
preserves the rich, diverse activities that make Illinois the best
state to live and visit.”
“Whether people are traveling to Illinois to visit the Superman
Celebration in Metropolis, take a drive down the historic Route 66,
or check out the world-renowned architecture in Chicago, Illinois
has it all,” said DCEO Director Kristin A. Richards. “The State of
Illinois is committed to bolstering the tourism sector by supporting
the best festivals and attractions in the country that will show
visitors from near and far that Illinois is the best place to live,
work and do business.”
Through the $22.5 million investment, $5 million was reserved for
festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing
communities together, and $17.5 million is supporting a broad range
of other tourism-related projects such as attractions, museums, live
performance venues, and more. Applications were selected through a
competitive process, with each grantee demonstrating how the award
would help businesses in the surrounding area, as well as the
project's ability to attract visitors for overnight stays. Projects
also scored higher based on proximity to commercial corridors and
services – including hotels/motels, restaurants, retail, and other
commercial operations.
“Illinois is coming back stronger in so many ways,
and Governor Pritzker’s commitment to our tourism and hospitality
industries helps to share that success with the world,” said State
Rep. Robyn Gabel, (D-Evanston). “This leadership is bringing people
from across our country and around the world to Illinois to share in
our festivals, see our incredible sites, dine at our restaurants,
and experience a state that is moving forward.”
“These grants are an initiative to help showcase the best our state
has to offer. Through investments like these, we can uplift our
local businesses and help our communities share their unique
festivals and traditions with others,” said State Rep. Lisa
Hernandez, (D-Cicero). “Illinois is a beautiful state from top to
bottom, diverse in its history and culture, just waiting to be
explored and experienced by others.”
“Particularly in the wake of the pandemic, it’s important that we
responsibly invest in our tourism industry,” said State Rep.
Margaret Croke, (D-Chicago). “Chicago is a global destination, and
tourism supports thousands of jobs and brings billions of dollars
into our state’s economy. I appreciate the work of DCEO and this
administration to ensure that this continues to be a vital industry
now and moving forward.”
“Investing in tourism throughout Illinois is not just a fantastic
way of spurring our already thriving economy, it’s also a way of
encouraging families to explore our state’s lesser-known
attractions,” said State Rep. Michelle Mussman, (D-Schaumburg).
“Though Chicago is a world-class destination with an abundance of
exciting features, the rest of Illinois has even more for visitors
and families to enjoy, and these grants will drive greater interest
and investment in so much of what makes our state outstanding.”
"Bringing tourism dollars to Illinois communities
will be a powerful stimulator for economic development," said State
Rep. Lamont J. Robinson, (D-Chicago). "As we continue to overcome
current economic challenges, lending a hand to local businesses by
promoting new visitors is money well-spent."
"From the state fair to the Chicago Cubs, Illinois is lucky enough
to boast a range of attractions that draw people to our
communities," said State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, (D-Aurora). "The
millions going towards tourism don't simply provide timely aid, they
are an effective use of our capital. Doubtless we will see
significant returns on this money."
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"Small businesses, especially those in underserved
communities, are facing an uphill battle as they fight increased
costs due to inflation. Vital tourism funding will bring more
customers to patronize these businesses and promote growth when it's
much-needed," said State Rep. Kam Buckner, (D-Chicago). "The
good-paying jobs that are sure to follow increased revenue will be a
further benefit to working families who need assistance the most."
"Destination development drives visitors to our state's outstanding
attractions from across the world," said State Senator Sara
Feigenholtz, (D-Chicago). "Today's announcement could not come at a
better time as our festivals, historic sites, live performances and
museums gear up for a bustling summer of travel for tourists and
residents alike."
“By supporting festivals and other tourist
attractions, we help local entrepreneurs thrive while also
showcasing the unique cultural and historical features Illinois has
to offer,” said State Senator Mattie Hunter, (D-Chicago). “Events
like these create jobs, boost our local economy and are an important
part of our communities.”
“Tourism is our way to share our history and our stories with
visitors from all over the world,” said State Senator Robert Peters,
(D-Chicago). “By providing funding for tourism attractions, we
bolster our economies, create well-paying jobs, and strengthen the
future of our communities.”
“Illinois festivals and tourism attractions bring local communities
together, attract visitors to our towns, drive the state’s economy,
employ thousands of people and provide fun and merriment for friends
and families to enjoy,” said State Senator Karina Villa, (D-West
Chicago). “These grants will go a long way in uplifting the tourism
industry in our local communities and help ensure that we can
continue to enjoy festivals with our friends and family, such as the
City of Aurora for Lights Festival and the Christkindl Market. I am
proud to see over $230,000 in funding will be going towards Aurora
to support our wide range of attractions our community has to
offer.”
“Our tourism industry was one of the hardest hit
during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said State Senator Laura Fine
(D-Glenview). “This next round of DCEO tourism grants will give
businesses the opportunity to reinvest and expand to attract
visitors and Illinoisians alike to their unique attractions.”
“Bringing outdoor recreation to the forefront in southwest Illinois
has been a major driver for the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism
Bureau,” said Cory Jobe, President & CEO of Great Rivers & Roads
Tourism Bureau. “State funding for the Kayak Kiosk project along the
Great River Road is game changer for the region and will help us
provide kayak access to the Mississippi River from locations along
the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic byway. Continuing to
build our outdoor recreation/nature based tourism product is key to
continued growth in our region.”
In addition to the Chicago Architecture Biennial, which is the
largest architecture and design exhibition in North America held
across various neighborhoods across Chicago, grant funding supports
local institutions like Belleville’s Old Town Farmer’s Market, and
large-scale events like the Taste of Chicago and the Magnificent
Mile Lights Festival. The grants also support community-based events
like Equiticity’s community bike ride series in Chicago designed to
support local businesses, and the inaugural Lake County Juneteenth
Festival at Foss Park.
"DCEO’s tourism grant to the Chicago Architecture Biennial provides
both most welcome financial assistance to CAB 5, the 2023 edition,
and signals that the exposition has achieved an important element of
its mission,” said Jack Guthman, Board Chairman of the Chicago
Architecture Biennial. “CAB was founded in response to the 2012
Chicago Cultural Plan which challenged the arts community to
establish an event that ‘attracts global attention and highlights
Chicago’s renowned cultural assets and heritage.’ We are proud that
the state, by making this grant, has acknowledged CAB’s efforts to
meet this goal."
"Equiticity is proud to continue to build our racial
equity movement with this funding from IL DCEO/Tourism Attractions &
Festivals Program Grant because Community Bicycle Rides/Festivals at
the neighborhood level contribute to growing trust in communities,"
said Oboi Reed, President & CEO of Equiticity. "When trust increases
in neighborhoods, perceptions of violence decrease. A reduction in
the concerns around neighborhood violence move people to walk, bike,
shop, and explore their communities. More active and hyperlocal
explorations make our streets more vibrant. More vibrant streets
attract increased retail, leading to greater job creation in our
neighborhoods, and contributes to reducing violence in our
communities, which is a vital step for marginalized people to move
from surviving to thriving."
The State of Illinois continues to prioritize our tourism industry
as millions of visitors spend billions of dollars annually across
Illinois, boosting economic development and supporting jobs in the
industry. In FY23 to date, hotel tax collections have surpassed all
of FY22 collections and are on-track to surpass the highest fiscal
year collections on record in FY19. Per the latest data available,
in 2021 Illinois welcomed more than 97 million visitors who spent
more than $32 billion in the state.
The success of Illinois’ tourism sector is due to commitment to
supporting the industry as well as the Illinois Office of Tourism’s
award-winning ‘Middle of Everything’ campaign. New data from
Longwoods International shows that the campaign had an enormous
positive economic impact – leading to an additional 2 million trips
which equated to an additional $1 billion spent in Illinois hotels,
restaurants, small businesses, and attractions. Additionally, every
$1 spent on the campaign equated to $91 in visitor spending while
generating $10 in state and local tax revenue for every dollar spent
– an enormous return on investment.
Grant awards range from $15,000 to $500,000, with an average award
of $250,000 for a total of $22.5 million.
A link to the full list of the recipients can
be found here.
[Office of the Governor JB Pritzker] |
