HOUSE LAWMAKERS ARE HEARING FROM THE TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ABOUT WHAT'S NEEDED TO BEGIN THE RECOVERY PROCESS. 

DURING A COMMITTEE MEETING, MEMBERS OF HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND CONVENTION GROUPS STRESSED THAT THEY CAN'T SURVIVE ANOTHER SUMMER UNDER LOW CAPACITY LIMITS. AND, WHILE THEY APPRECIATE THE NEED TO MOVE AHEAD BASED ON COVID NUMBERS, NAVY PIER C-E-O MARILYN GARDNER SAID THEY NEED MORE NOTICE.

MIKE JACOBSON WITH THE ILLINOIS HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION TESTIFIED BEFORE A HOUSE COMMITTEE THAT HE DOESN'T EXPECT THE HOTEL INDUSTRY TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC UNTIL 2024 AT THE EARLIEST. HE SAYS THEY NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO GET BACK UP AND RUNNING AND SUGGESTS SOME OF THE FEDERAL MONEY ILLINOIS IS RECEIVING GO TO HOTELS.

HOTEL INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION THAT THEIR STAFF, INCLUDING HOUSEKEEPERS, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE INITIAL PRIORITY GROUPS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE. OTHERS SAID THERE NEEDS TO BE A COORDINATED EFFORT TO PROMOTE WHAT'S OPEN IN ILLINOIS SO TRAVELERS AND EVENT ORGANIZERS AREN'T HAVING TO TRY AND FIGURE THAT OUT.