Study warns budget cuts threaten Illinois tourism industry

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Council of Convention & Visitors Bureaus contends that ongoing budget uncertainty and marketing budget cuts put the state at risk of losing thousands of tourism jobs.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/1MjRQhg) that a study released Monday shows a 20 percent cut from $63.8 million for tourism marketing in fiscal 2014 would cost the state $2.3 billion in visitor spending. Also at risk are 4,600 jobs and nearly $200 million in taxes over four years. The estimate was based on 2014 tourism visits and spending.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reports tourism spending hit a record $36.3 billion in 2014 with 109.4 million visitors.

Tourism officials attribute a drop in state historic site visits in 2015 to the budget uncertainty and reduced hours at some sites.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com