CHICAGO, IL (Chambana Today) – Governor Pritzker recently awarded $857,000 in grant funding to 11 certified local tourism and convention bureaus.

Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced their grant funding awarded through the International Tourism Grant Program. This program is a part of the effort to grow Illinois’ bustling tourism industry.

“Illinois is truly in the Middle of Everything, and our tourism industry is thriving like never before,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to the International Tourism Grant Program, 11 local tourism and convention bureaus will showcase the best of Illinois to global audiences, attract international visitors, and drive growth to local economies statewide.”

The grant aims to increase international travel to Illinois through marketing efforts directed at Mexico, Canada, German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, U.K./Ireland, France, India, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. A list of the grantees and their award amounts are listed below:

  • Champaign County Convention & Visitors Bureau: $16,600
  • Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau: $52,500
  • City of Springfield: $222,500
  • DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau: $33,600
  • DuPage Convention & Visitors Bureau: $30,000
  • Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau: $228,127
  • Greater Galena Marketing, Inc.: $20,224
  • Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau: $150,000
  • Peoria Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: $22,650
  • Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau: $41,100
  • Visit Oak Park: $40,000