The entire state of Illinois moved to Phase 4 of Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois Plan in June. While we are far from being back to normal, the state has made great strides in operating under a "new normal" where health and safety are the priorities.
As Illinois residents and out-of-state visitors consider their plans for the summer and beyond, we know that health and safety will continue to be key factors in whether or not people choose to travel to or within Illinois. From hotels to attractions and
everything in between, we encourage all businesses that are reopening to commit to following all guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone.
Chicago is now taking even more safety precautions with
an Emergency Travel Order that requires a 14-day quarantine for people traveling from states experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The list of states will be updated every Tuesday starting July 14.
So many attractions around the state have reopened under the new guidelines and more are following. From outdoor adventures to indoor experiences, the state is beginning to offer things to do for locals and visitors alike.
Now there's an escape for the heat as water parks can begin reopening. Raging Waves in Yorkville will open on July 12. Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee will reopen to members July 20 and to the public on July 27; and the Rockfordlocation will host member preview days on July 20 and 21.
On July 15, the Illinois Holocaust Museum will reopen, and you can request free tickets for opening day. The Notorious RBG exhibit has also been extended to January 2021.
In Chicago, some of the most iconic attractions have safely reopened, giving residents and visitors a chance to re-explore the city.
Navy Pieris bringing back its free cultural programming, including Live on the Lake, an outdoor music series; Wave Wall Moves, a pop up dance series; Water Flicks, outdoor movie screenings; and more.
Chicago Architecture Center walking tours have resumed, along with architectural river cruises aboard Chicago's First Lady.
For more iconic skyline views, both 360 Chicago and Skydeck Chicago are up and running with new safety measures in place.
The Field Museum will reopen to members July 17 and the public on July 24.
We would like to wish a fond farewell to Brett Stawar, President and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. Brett has accepted a new position as the President and CEO of the Port Aransas/Mustang Island Tourism Bureau & Chamber of Commerce, located near Corpus Christi, TX. Brett spent 16 years at GRR and served two terms as the chairman of the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitors Bureaus. We are thankful for his contributions over the years!
Have you ever wanted to take a selfie with a Sasquatch? AAA Midwest Traveler just did a feature on Sassy the Sasquatch, the 7-ft tall, 2,600-lb Bigfoot statue that has become a landmark in the sprawling Shawnee National Forest. And for more forest
exploration, many lodges at our beautiful state parks are now open, including Giant City Lodge in Makanda and Pere Marquette Lodge in Grafton.
Rockford is now home to Winnebago County's largest and only full-service hotel in the downtown area. The Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center is located perfectly for guests and
groups to discover Rockford's Main Street District, offering an array of shopping, dining and an exciting entertainment experience, all set in historic downtown.
Phase 4 of Restore Illinois included guidelines for youth sports, which has meant youth sports tournaments have returned around the state to facilities like the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.
More news from Peoria — the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (PACVB) has announced that Discover Peoria will be the organization’s new name and brand. The PACVB has previously been known as Enjoy Peoria since 2014. A fully redesigned website with the new name will launch
September 1, 2020.
In Geneva, local businesses came together with the Geneva Chamber to encourage people to shop local and boost sales for
Chamber members. They created "Shop Geneva Retail Boxes" which were filled with items from local businesses. All boxes sold out and the Chamber hopes to do these again for the upcoming holiday season.
We are now taking nominations for our next round of Illinois Made Makers! These are the creators and artisans who help craft Illinois by hand, inspiring visitors and fellow Illinoisans to discover more about the state by experiencing firsthand the passion that makes it thrive.
Learn more about nominating a maker in your area by reading our updated criteria below. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 7, 2020.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's (DCEO) dedicated COVID-19 website remains a hub for information and resources for businesses, residents and workers. Many grants and loans remain available to apply for, and the website continues to be updated with new aid opportunities regularly. Recently, DCEO wrapped its first round of Business Interruption Grants aimed at assisting businesses experiencing losses or business interruption as a result of COVID-19 related closure. A new fund has been announced as well, the Rebuild Distressed Communities Program, which has been designated to aid businesses that sustained property damage as a result of civil unrest during protest and demonstrations on or after May 25th, 2020.
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.