Suburban convention bureaus regain state funding
Suburban convention and tourism bureaus rejoiced Wednesday after a new law passed that ensures their state funding will return, although at a reduced rate.
The groups estimated they could see 15 to 20 percent less than last year. They received about $800,000 to $1 million last year.
The tourism groups expect to receive about the same as what they did two years ago. For the past five months no money was received as the budget stalemate raged in Springfield.
"The worst is over," said Dave Parulo, president of Schaumburg-based Meet Chicago Northwest.
The SB2039 bill, which includes funding for 911 call centers, local governments and tourism bureaus, was approved in the state Senate and then signed late Tuesday by Gov. Bruce Rauner. The law mandates state funding to all Illinois convention and tourism bureaus, which promote their regions to win events such as conventions and business meetings. Tourism groups outside of Chicago will collectively get about $12 million. Chicago will receive roughly $12 million in two grants, tourism leaders said.
"This is a great achievement," Beth Marchetti, executive director of Oak Brook-based DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau, said in a statement.
The suburban groups supported a campaign with Choose Chicago, the Illinois Restaurant Association, the Illinois hotel & Lodging Association and the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitors Bureaus that lobbied state officials to reinstate their funding that was in limbo during the state budget crisis.
The tourism groups will apply for the money owed since July, based on a formula from the Illinois Office of Tourism, said Maureen Riedy, president of Visit Lake County.
"We are thrilled that we can start implementing sales and marketing programs that have been on hold for 6 months," Riedy said.
While the law says the money will be made immediately, tourism officials are unsure exactly when the checks will arrive.
"Everything indicates that they're trying to expedite it as quickly as possible," Parulo said.
The groups said they will once again use the money for marketing and sales efforts for their regions, aiming to boost tourism dollars for the local economy. The state last year had 109 million visitors who contributed about $36.3 billion to the economy and supported about 306,000 jobs, the groups said in an advertising campaign.
"We're just glad this is over, and it certainly makes you re-examine what we needed to do to find efficiencies and save money," Parulo said.
Lyndsey Walters, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said the law will help a variety of destinations statewide.
"Our state has a wealth of historical and cultural attractions that bring people from far and wide to visit Illinois, eating at local restaurants and shopping with Illinois businesses, significantly benefiting our state and local economies," Walters said.