SJ0034 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0034 LRB103 32107 MST 61117 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Illinois is a culturally diverse state with an equally diverse tourism and hospitality industry; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is a premiere location for business and leisure travelers, offering fine dining, shopping, recreational activities, business, and a wide array of attractions; and

WHEREAS, Illinois is a vibrant and robust destination for local, national, and international visitors; and

WHEREAS, It is essential to support the tourism and hospitality industry due to the vital part it plays in the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, In 2021, 97.1 million visitors spent $32.2 billion across Illinois' economy, spanning multiple industries; and

WHEREAS, The $32.2 billion in visitor spending means that nearly $88.3 million was spent every day by visitors in Illinois in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Housing accommodations, food and beverage, recreation, retail shopping, local transportation, and air travel all flourish when the tourism and hospitality industry of Illinois is thriving; and

WHEREAS, The number of jobs sustained by tourism (388,800) supports 6.8% of all jobs in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, While the pandemic created enormous challenges for the tourism industry, the recovery has been strong; and

WHEREAS, The future of Illinois tourism is bright with no limit to its growth; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we recognize the formation of the Tourism and Hospitality Caucus to promote the industry throughout the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage support for Illinois' tourism and hospitality industry.