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According to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity and the Office of Tourism, 112 million domestic and
international visitors spent $47 billion in 2023.
During a recent Illinois Senate Special Committee on Tourism
hearing, Keenan Irish, vice president of Government Relations &
Member Engagement with the Illinois Hotel and Lodging
Association, said Illinois saw a year-over-year decline in
occupancy in January, and now the industry is concerned about
tariffs.
“If certain economic measures increase the cost of goods, our
members are reporting that planned renovation projects would be
adjusted, delayed, or require more expensive financing,” said
Irish.
Irish noted that during the first quarter of 2025, Chicago had
the lowest occupancy rates out of the top 10 convention markets,
and a revised forecast from Tourism Economics shows an over 9%
decline in international arrivals for the rest of the year.
Cory Jobe with the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau in the
Metro East said it is a critical time for Illinois to increase
its tourism promotional efforts because 2026 is going to be a
huge year.
“Next year, North America is hosting soccer’s World Cup, with
matches being held across the United States, 2026 is also
America’s birthday, the centennial year of Route 66 which starts
in Chicago and we have 301 miles in Illinois and many more
events,” said Jobe.
Lawmakers are considering legislation that, in fiscal year 2026
and thereafter, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity would require that any convention and tourism bureau
receiving a grant from the Local Tourism Fund that requires
matching funds shall provide matching funds equal to no less
than 25% of the grant amount.
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