State and local tax revenues from tourism reached nearly $5 billion
Illinois tourism crossed the $50 billion visitor-spending threshold for the first time last year, driven by roughly 115 million domestic and international travelers who spent $50.2 billion in the state, according to figures released by Gov. JB Pritzker’s office.
The 3.5% year-over-year increase pushed total economic impact above $88 billion, the governor’s office said in its announcement.
Tourism’s tax footprint grew alongside the spending total. State and local tax revenues tied to visitor spending reached nearly $5 billion, with hotels contributing $372 million in tax revenue alone, according to the announcement.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton pointed to the state’s geographic range.
“We’re in the Middle of Everything and there’s something here for everyone — from the beaches of Lake Michigan to the rolling prairies of Southern Illinois,” Stratton said. “Illinois has a rich history, culture, and natural beauty and we’re excited to welcome people from near and far to enjoy it all.”
The announcement was distributed by the Associated Press and reported by Maggie Dougherty of Capitol News Illinois.