The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $50,000 to promote awareness of Chicago and Illinois in the Republic of Ireland.

The Problem The State of Illinois spends around $50 million per year on tourism. Revenue from the Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax, which is 6 percent of 94 percent of gross rental receipts, funds tourism spending. Revenue from the hotel tax also goes towards the Build Illinois Fund, the Illinois Sports Facilities Fund, and the General...

Rather than giving special benefits to a few specific tourist attractions, Illinois needs to consider new avenues for attracting tourists, such as decreasing the cost of visiting Illinois by lowering taxes.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $10,000 to restore a gas station on the historic Route 66 highway, hoping its location will promote tourism in the area.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) gave $1,278.88 to promote advertising for

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DECO) allocated $334,093.16 to fund a tourist attraction aimed at simulating an authentic Amish experience.

In recent years, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association has received funding from three tourism grants totaling nearly $200,000.

In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Education disbursed $67,500 of a $75,000 grant to BLH Enterprises to help expand their electronic recycling program.

In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity gave Peabody Investments Corp a $750,000 Coal Competitiveness Program grant.

In fiscal year 2009, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity disbursed $108,000 of a $120,000 grant to the Southern Recycling Center.