Illinois – A Nice Place to Visit, But Not in the Winter

How the Pritzker Administration is spending Hotel and Motel Taxes:

Illinois kicks off major promotional effort

Chicago – In an effort to increase Illinois’ $40 billion travel and tourism industry, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has enlisted the service of one of the nation’s top marketing and advertising agencies located in Chicago.

O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul (OKRP) is tasked to provide its premier promotional expertise to tout the state’s many historic and popular tourism destinations to both domestic and international travelers as well as a top choice for national conventions and meetings.

“By bringing aboard OKRP, we are looking to expand Illinois’ brand around the world,” said Erin Guthrie, DCEO Acting Director.

“We want to encourage visitors to experience Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, be inspired while walking in Lincoln’s footsteps, and embrace the beauty of our many state parks.”

Guthrie said the initial term of the contract with OKRP will run through June 2022 and will help improve on the more than $3 billion already brought in as state and local tax revenue from visitor expenditures.

More than 114 million people visited Illinois in 2018 and pumped in $40 billion to the state’s economy, proof that a thriving tourism industry is vital to the state’s economic vitality.

“We had several impressive, professional marketing firms step up and the competition was strong, as is the competition Illinois faces for a family’s vacation budget,” Guthrie said.

“We cannot rest on thinking people are already aware of the many great things to see and experience in the state. We need to let people know what Illinois has to offer.”

The Illinois Office of Tourism is 100 percent funded by the state’s hotel motel tax revenue and is a strong revenue generator for Illinois’ economy.


Comments

Illinois – A Nice Place to Visit, But Not in the Winter — 6 Comments

  1. Chicago offers vibrant hordes of homeless schizophrenic garbage pickers, four days per year of temperate weather, bribery and corruption activities for all, along with it’s death bed level desperation of resident taxpayers.

    Chicago has it all, just bring your own Kevlar.

  2. Will the agency publish a map of dangerous areas in Chicago and other places in Illinois that should be avoided to keep tourists safe?

  3. Anybody that wants to come to Chiraq to “vacation” may find
    themselves in a life threatening situation very quickly.

    However, I do recommend Chiraq’s South and West sides as a vacation destination for all
    who are of the Liberal persuasion, you’ll have a bang – guaranteed.

    Feeling a bit triggered, Little Joey Blowhard ? Too bad, deal with it.

  4. The 79th street gangs can hop on the rails and be on the MagMile in 15 minutes.

    How long before tourists start getting shanked on the MagMile?

    Good luck out of state tourists.

  5. Tourists?

    Hell, Chicago has ALWAYS been a dangerous cesspool.

    My attorney was shot and killed over a measly forty dollars on the Lake Street L over THIRTY years ago!

  6. Drums will be heard this summer as the natives get restless and stage broad daylight carjackings, gang rapes and phone robberies.

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