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Your monthly update from the Illinois Office of Tourism.
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Illinois Tourism Monthly - November 2019
 
Every region of Illinois, including Chicago, has now moved into Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan outlined by Governor JB Pritkzer. Many attractions and locations around the state are reopening and closely following the Phase 3 Industry Guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all their guests and visitors. So many of our partners around the state are working hard on plans to move forward, and in many cases, working together.

In an effort to position Chicago as a city that visitors trust, Choose Chicago has launched Tourism & Hospitality Forward, a campaign that aims to engage and unite partners, businesses and institutions across the city to ensure recovery is equitable across Chicago’s neighborhoods.  

 
2020 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism in Rosemont
The #AllinIllinois campaign has continued with a renewed focus on safety, and more emphasis has been placed upon ensuring the message reaches minority communities and areas that have been more impacted by COVID-19. As the state of Illinois begins to cautiously reopen in Phase 3, it's more important than ever that safety guidelines continue to be followed. Visit the All In Illinois website to learn more about ways to get involved with this statewide initiative.
 
2020 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism in Rosemont

While it will be some time before travel is anywhere near normal, the data is showing us positive travel sentiments. A tracking study by Longwoods International indicates that 70% of Americans plan to visit a domestic destination in the next 6 months. In many cases, they plan to drive to their destination, which will put Illinois in a great spot to see visitors from drive markets as well as our residents exploring their own state.

Recognizing the desire for many to travel safely by car, Market Illinois, a group of marketing professionals from local and regional destination marketing organizations (DMOs), are collaborating to promote all that Illinois has to offer through a weekly blog, “Illinois Road Trip Round Up.”

Every Tuesday through Labor Day, sixteen participating DMOs will share one trip idea from their region on a timely theme. Participating DMOs include:

Chicago’s North Shore, Chicago Southland CVB, Visit SI, Discover DuPage, Aurora Area CVB, Explore Elgin Area, Go Rockford, Great Rivers & Routes, Heritage Corridor, Illinois South Tourism, Meet Chicago Northwest, Visit Champaign County, Visit Effingham, Visit McHenry County, Visit Quad Cities, and Visit Springfield.

 
21c photo credit: https://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/chicago/#photosvideos

Many of our partners around the state have started to cautiously reopen under the new safety guidelines, and so many are continuing to be creative with their efforts and doing great things. Here are some highlights from around the state:

  • Drive-in movies are having a major come back. At the beginning of the month, several drive-ins around the state reopened to lines of eager viewers, including locations in Springfield, McHenry, Belleville, Litchfield, Romeoville and more.  

  • Several breweries on the Heritage Corridor Ale Trail are participating in the "Black is Beautiful" initiative started by a brewer in San Antonio. This is a collaborative effort amongst the brewing community and its customers, in an attempt to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily.

  • In celebration of Pride Month, rainbow flags and stairs have taken over the Galena Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Galena.

  • Chicago's Navy Pier reopened its outdoor spaces this week, including  dining on several restaurant patios, pop up outdoor shops and kiosks, and boat cruises on Lake Michigan.  

  • The Litchfield Office of Tourism is paving the way for visitors by creating a safe Litchfield Getaway Package, which includes an itinerary featuring discounted hotels and exclusive specials for visitors.  


  • Visit Springfield is working to drive visitation with a hotel promotion. "Stay 2 Get 1" offers a 3rd night free when guests stay 2 nights at nearly 20 participating hotels.





  • The Year of Chicago Music has officially gone virtual, and the office of Mayor Lori Lightfoot has just announced a list of "reimagined" summer events, including at-home dance parties, drive-in movies, virtual concerts and community meals for frontline workers — all in lieu of summer festivals.

 
2020 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism in Rosemont
Stephanie Hart of Brown Sugar Bakery recently got a moment in the spotlight, and it wasn't just because of her iconic sweets. On May 29, she joined Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot live at her daily press conference. Hart spoke about being part of the solution to help many of the longstanding minority-owned businesses on 75th St. move forward. Mayor Lightfoot applauded her and the bakery's famous caramel cake, saying it was "off the chain" – and we agree!

Brown Sugar Bakery has two Chicago locations, including the original on 75th Street, as well as at Navy Pier.

 
2020 Illinois Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism in Rosemont

For future travel inspiration, be sure to get a copy of the Spring/Summer issue of Enjoy Illinois, a biannual magazine that provides trip ideas and inspiration from every corner of the state. The magazine can be downloaded, or you can request a copy by mail. If you are interested in distribution, you can also request bulk quantities.

 
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IOT and Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
The Official Industry Newsletter of the Illinois Office of Tourism
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