GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER IS ANNOUNCING 15 MILLION DOLLARS IN TOURISM GRANTS. 

10 MILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN AWARDED THROUGH A NEW STATE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT EXHIBITS, FESTIVALS AND ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE STATE AND NOW AN ADDITIONAL 15 MILLION IS UP FOR GRABS. GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS IT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT AN INDUSTRY HIT SO HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.

STRATTON SAYS THE ILLINOIS TOURISM INDUSTRY OFFERS SO MUCH TO STATE RESIDENTS AND VISITORS.

GRANTS ARE FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT AND APPLICATIONS FOR THIS SECOND ROUND ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED VIA THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY'S WEBSITE. DOWNSTATE COMMUNITIES ARE BEING PRIORITIZED THIS TIME AROUND.