CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $4.6 million in grant funding to 49 grantees to attract visitors and support tourism across the Illinois. The awards include $2 million to support projects along Route 66, $2 million to market destinations and attractions across the state, and $654,000 to promote Illinois internationally.
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“Millions of people visit Illinois every year, and we want them to experience more of what our state has to offer from Route 66 to the Chicago skyline,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “These grants will help local partners reach travelers across the country and around the world and show them what they can discover here in the Middle of Everything. More visitors mean more customers for our restaurants, hotels, and shops, supporting local jobs and businesses in communities throughout Illinois.”
"Anyone who has had the pleasure of traveling around the state knows that Illinois has something to offer everyone—from the beaches of Lake Michigan and the bustling streets of Chicago to the rolling prairies of Southern Illinois with lively Main Streets," said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. "These investments will help us share Illinois with the world while supporting our economy, small businesses, and communities right here at home."
Record Breaking Tourism Numbers Under Governor Pritzker
Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, the State has prioritized making key investments in Illinois’ tourism industry to bring visitors to the state and drive economic growth. In fiscal year 2025, Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel revenue figures with $372 million and welcomed 115 million visitors who spent $50.2 billion.
The success of Illinois' tourism sector is due to its commitment to supporting the industry as well as the Illinois Office of Tourism's award-winning "Middle of Everything" campaign. Since it launched in 2022, the campaign has made significant annual contributions to the state. In 2025 the campaign generated an additional 2.8 million trips equaling more than an additional $900 million spent in Illinois hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and attractions, according to data from Longwoods International. Every $1 spent on the campaign equated to $81 in visitor spending while generating $9 in direct state and local tax revenue – an enormous return on investment.
“Tourism is a vital part of Illinois’ economy, supporting businesses, creating jobs, and driving economic activity in communities across our state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through these grants, we’re investing in efforts to help Illinois build on the tremendous momentum of our tourism industry and ensure communities across the state benefit from the billions of dollars visitors spend each year.”
“Tourism is a powerful economic engine for Illinois, generating visitor spending, supporting jobs, strengthening small businesses and producing critical state and local tax revenues in communities across Illinois,” said Cory Jobe, Chair, Illinois Destinations Association. “These grant investments help Illinois destinations compete for visitors, extend stays and turn increased visitation into greater economic impact. As we build on the historic momentum of the Route 66 Centennial and expand Illinois’ presence in domestic and international markets, continued investment in tourism is an investment in the economic strength and competitiveness of our entire state.”
Route 66 Grant Program
The $2 million Route 66 Grant Program supports projects that promote, develop and preserve destinations along the Illinois Route 66 corridor during the highway’s centennial year. Designated in 1926, Route 66 remains an important part of Illinois’ history and a draw for travelers. The full list of this round’s grant recipients can be found here.
International Tourism Grant Program
The International Tourism Grant Program will increase international travel to Illinois through marketing efforts directed to identified target markets that include Mexico, Canada, UK/Ireland, Germany, and German-speaking regions in Austria and Switzerland, with targeted, bespoke programming in India and Japan. The full list of this round’s grant recipients can be found here.
Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program
Through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Grant Program, DCEO will provide matching grants to assist in the promotion of tourism attractions, destinations, and events in Illinois. Grant funding will help tourism partners market their attractions and events to increase visitation by both business and leisure travelers in order to increase overnight stays in Illinois. The full list of this round’s grant recipients can be found here.
“Chicago is Illinois’ front door to the world, welcoming visitors from across the country and around the globe who stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants, shop at our small businesses, and experience everything our city and state have to offer,” said Senator Sara Feigenholtz (D - Chicago). “These investments will help ensure that visitors discover the communities, historic destinations, and cultural experiences that make our state unique.”
