Governor Awards More Than $17 Million to Enhance Illinois Tourism

Press Release - Tuesday, November 28, 2000

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today announced more than $17 million in statewide tourism grants to assist a total of 134 organizations throughout the state. The funds come from four separate tourism-related grant programs administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA).

"Tourism is a thriving industry in Illinois and my administration is committed to keeping it strong," Ryan said. "Through support from the state, local tourism agencies are able to enhance and promote attractions and events that bring in more visitors and pump more money into our economy."

Through the Local Tourism & Convention Bureau Program (LTCB), the state is investing $13.6 million to help local convention and tourism bureaus attract more visitors to their designated regions. The Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program (TAP) will disperse nearly $1.9 million to help groups improve existing tourist sites and develop new attractions. More than $1.3 million from the state's Tourism Marketing Partnership Program will help communities promote and market specific tourism events and attractions, while the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program awarded over $200,000 to local organizations to host high-profile events.

Grant recipients and award amounts are specified below.

LOCAL TOURISM AND CONVENTION BUREAU PROGRAM

Governor Ryan today announced $13.6 million in grants will be shared by the state's 39 certified Local Tourism and Convention Bureaus. The grants will assist the bureaus in the promotion of local events attracting both domestic and international travelers.

"Local promotion is a major reason that our travel industry is experiencing the amount of success that it is," Governor Ryan said. "Our convention bureaus have been doing a great job making sure that everything from pumpkin festivals in the Fall to blues festivals in the Summer draw large crowds from both inside and outside the state."

The grants are awarded through the Department of Commerce and Community Affair's (DCCA) Local Tourism and Convention Bureau Program (LTCB). This program provides a dollar-for-dollar matching grant to certified bureaus to conduct promotional activities. The purpose is to increase the number of business and leisure travelers visiting the bureaus' designated geographic areas in Illinois.

"Our network of CVBs play an important role in fueling the state's tourism industry," said DCCA Director, Pam McDonough. "Their efforts to pull in visitors from larger markets have given our cities the chance to diversify and further extend their events."

Recipients of this grant must be a certified bureau, which is a not-for-profit organization or a local public agency that represents one or more municipalities or counties, and whose promotional activities generate increased travel throughout the state. Bureaus have applied this grant towards a number of promotional options, some include: brochures; trade show expenses; radio, television and newspaper advertising; or Internet Web site development.

FY '01 Tourism LTCB Grant Awards

Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County
$23,549.00

Aurora Area Convention and Tourism Council
$118,387.00

Blackhawk-Waterways Convention and Visitors Bureau
$96,721.00

Bloomington-Normal Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$260,439.00

Carbondale Area Convention and Tourism Bureau
$72,470.00

Champaign-Urbana Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$268,580.00

Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau
$2,439,612.00

Chicago Office of Tourism
$2,113,076.00

Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau
$717,569.00

Collinsville Convention and Visitors Bureau
$89,160.00

Danville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$71,894.00

Decatur Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$140,587.00

DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau
$812,967.00

Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau
$76,578.00

Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$169,084.00

Evanston Convention and Visitors Bureau
$96,263.00

Galena/JoDaviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau
$133,913.00

Galesburg Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$82,004.00

Greater Alton/Twin Rivers Convention and Visitors Bureau
$96,723.00

Greater St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau
$126,348.00

Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
$812,967.00

Heritage Corridor Convention and Visitors Bureau
$613,460.00

Jacksonville Area Visitors and Conventions Bureau
$30,254.00

Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau
$87,164.00

Lake County, Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau
$812,967.00

Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$63,821.00

Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitors Bureau
$67,556.00

Oak Park Visitors Bureau
$290,861.00

Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$431,373.00

Prospect Heights Convention and Visitors Bureau
$137,785.00

Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau
$169,836.00

Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$88,264.00

Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
$337,732.00

Rosemont Convention Bureau
$790,061.00

Southeastern Illinois Convention and Visitors Bureau
(*formerly Crossroads of Illiana CVB)
$50,642.00

Southernmost Illinois Convention and Tourism Bureau
$42,214.00

Southwestern Illinois Tourism and Convention Bureau
$385,202.00

Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau
$348,551.00

Williamson County Tourism Bureau
$92,803.00

TOTAL$13,659,436.00

TOURISM ATTRACTION DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROGRAM

Governor Ryan announced that 21 statewide organizations will receive Tourism Attraction Development grants totaling more than $1.9 million dollars. The funds will assist the organizations in improving already existing or developing new attractions to increase potential visits from travelers.

"These grants allow us to cultivate Illinois as home to some of the finest and most up-to-date visitor sites," Ryan said.

The Tourism Attraction Development Grant Program provides municipalities, local not-for-profit groups, and for-profit tourism related businesses financial assistance to make improvements to tourist attractions. Funds may also be used for conducting research and management-marketing planning for new historic and cultural sites.

"Having sites that people want to visit is what drives communities to upgrade their attractions," DCCA Director McDonough said. "This grant is great for making history come alive in museums, adding lights to baseball diamonds, and giving kids the chance to learn more about animals at local zoos."

Williamson County Tourism Bureau, Marion, Williamson County will receive a $250,000 grant to construct a multipurpose facility housing 5000 permanent seats as an entertainment facility for Williamson County. The facility will enable the Tourism Bureau to host several tourism events such as Rodeo's, Southern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Days, Goose calling contests and celebrity hunts.

National Road Association of Illinois Inc., Greenup, Effingham County will receive a $24,000 grant to develop an interpretive plan for the National Road National Scenic Byway. The plan will provide the six county region with the accurate story lines needed to interpret the byway. This grant will enable the Byway to hire a consultant to provide the recommended strategies for each selected interpretive site, including site-specific objective, audience and development needs assessments.

Rides Mass Transit District, Rosiclaire, Hardin County will receive a $131,200 grant to construct a 48-54 passenger boat which will be operated as an Ohio River Taxi in Pope and Hardin Counties with limited service to Gallatin County. The River Taxi is expected to contribute to the development and improvement of the tourist attractions in Southern Illinois.

City of Rochelle, Rochelle, Ogle County will receive a $50,000 grant to restore a filling station, along the Lincoln Highway National Scenic Byway, as an Interpretive Center. The building built in 1918 is owned by the city of Rochelle and is located 3 blocks from the Railroad Park. Completion of this project will enhance the visitors experience.

City of Bone Gap Illinois, Bone Gap, Edwards County will receive a $6,500 grant to restore and preserve the Bone Gap Depot as a Welcome Center. The work includes earthwork, pouring a concrete pad, moving the Depot to its original location and various interior and exterior amenities.

Village of Odell Tourism and Community Development, Inc., Odell, Livingston County will receive a $12,000 grant to renovate the Historic Standard/Sinclair Filling Station located on Route 66 as a n Interpretive Center. The station is on the National Register of Historic Places. Restoring the facility to offer an interpretive site for Route 66 visitors and will provide the opportunity for distribution of tourism materials as well as an historical experience.

City of Charleston, Charleston, Coles County will receive a $31,000 grant to construct interpretive displays of the Lincoln/Douglas Seven Debates. An interactive map will enable the visitor to view a 3-D image of the debate scene, and an etched panel of the Charleston Debate will be created.

Raue Center for the Arts, Crystal Lake, McHenry County will receive a $100,000 grant to complete the renovation of the stage building and stage annex of the Raue Theater Complex. Cabinetry, roofing, stage rigging, platform lift, metal doors, sprinkler system for the stage building and various other interior and exterior work will be accomplished with this grant.

Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield, Cook County will receive a $250,000 grant to construct a new exhibit at Brookfield Zoo called the Hamill Family Play Zoo. The exhibit will provide the children with the opportunity to pretend to be zoo keepers, veterinarians, gardeners, carpenters, and dress up as animals in the zoo. Landscaping, paving, electrical, and vacuum systems will be installed with these funds.

The National Trust for Historic Places, Lockport, Will County will receive a $48,300 grant to acquire photographs of the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal. The permanent exhibit will be housed in the Historic Gaylord Building in Lockport, Illinois. The pictures tell the story of how the I&M Canal was built and its contribution to the development of Chicago as a City.

The City of Blue Island, Blue Island, Cook County will receive a $50,000 grant to commission a study to address the community's and surrounding areas' desire and need to expand tourism, promote local and regional heritage, encourage economic development and identify recreational opportunities for the region. This study will provide the blueprint for development to the City of Blue Island.

The City of Golconda, Golconda, Pope County will receive a $140,380 grant to finalize the restoration of the DAM 51 Houses as a Bed and Breakfast along the Ohio River in Golconda. The project will provide much needed accommodations to the Southern Illinois region. The addition of the B&B will afford the community the opportunity to generate additional revenue to support the growing tourism industry.

The Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, Utica, LaSalle County will receive a $27,726 grant to purchase a trolley for the Starved Rock region. The addition of a trolley car moving visitors to various communities along the historic I&M Canal and the Illinois River will enhance the visitors experience.

Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago, Cook County will receive a $250,000 grant to fabricate an architectural model of the City of Chicago to be placed in the receiving area of their foundation office located in the John Hancock Building. Development and the creation of a digital archive of approximately 100 architectural landmarks in Chicago will be presented through kiosks and a 15 minute interpretive film with translation explaining the architecture.

The Collinsville Metropolitan Exposition Auditorium and Office Building Authority, Collinsville, Madison County will receive a $250,000 grant to purchase and install various interior equipment necessary for the Minor League Baseball Stadium to be completed in the Spring of 2001. The project would provide the paving, landscaping, fixture installation, and various interior and exterior amenities to enhance the visitors experience to the Minor League Stadium.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications, Chicago, Cook County will receive a $49,500 grant to create a Sportscasters Gallery for the Museum of Broadcast Communications. The design or fabrication and installation of a kiosk exhibit and an audio/video film interpreting the exhibit will be produced with this grant. Construction of a sportscasters biographical display as well as additional seating space and a visitors interactive booth will enhance visitors experience in this museum.

Evanston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Evanston, Cook County will receive a $26,000 to conduct a feasibility study and municipal relations program for the Evanston area. The study is expected to define the economic statistics including average daily rates for hotel motel visits, tax dollars generated per hotel room and attraction attendance figures in order to attract economic impact to this Northern Illinois region.

Bonfire Retreat & Cabin Rental Inc., Nauvoo, Hancock County will receive a $125,773 grant to develop and construct lodging for the Illinois Great River Road Area. The project will consist of purchasing land between Nauvoo and Hamilton Illinois on Highway 96 along the National Scenic Byway and installing sewers, water, parking and landscaping.

The City of Joliet, Joliet, Will County will receive a $33,561 grant to design and construct interpretive historical silhouettes of characters who lived and worked on the I&M Canal. The living history silhouettes will guide visitors through the Canal Corridor interpreting the life of a number of the significant figures who worked and lived along the Canal.

The Canal Corridor Association, Chicago, Cook County will receive a $31,875 grant to commission an architect to design the Canal Boat Museum. The grant enhances the Heritage Tourism project and will fulfill the plan recommended by the Bureau of Tourism commissioned consultants to construct the Canal Boat Museum.

TOTAL$1,887,815

TOURISM MARKETING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Ryan also announced more than $1 million in Tourism Marketing Partnership Grants to assist 75 local organizations market and promote attractions and events, including the 2000 St. Charles Scarecrow Festival; the 2000 Illinois Holiday Guide for East Peoria and the Quad Cities; and brochures for the Frank Lloyd Wright Home in English, German, Japanese, French, Italian, and Spanish.

"Giving organizations the chance to market their events benefits the whole industry. The money that funds their brochures or TV ads eventually funnels back into tourism, creates jobs, supports businesses, and shows people a good time along the way," Ryan added.

The grants, awarded through the Tourism Marketing Partnership Program, provide financial assistance to municipalities, counties, and local not-for-profit organizations to promote and market tourism attractions and events. Organizations can apply the funds towards everything from radio and TV ads to web site development.

"These grants are a great aid because they put a wide-range of marketing options directly at their fingertips and allow the organizations to take control of their own promotion, putting them in the driver's seat," McDonough said.

Galena/JoDaviess County CVB will receive a $21,139.44 grant for Print, radio, & TV ads to promote tourism around Galena.

River District Association will receive a $7,000.00 grant for Web site development for promotion of the Rockford River District.

Northern IL Tourism Development Office will receive a $5,811.50 grant to design/print 20,000 brochures to promote tourism in Boone County.

Mainstreet Libertyville, Inc. will receive a $4,713.50 grant to design/print 20,000 "Downtown Guides", & design/print 20,000 "Dickens of a Holiday Guides".

Blackhawk Waterways CVB will receive a $26,417.08 grant to promote the "Chocolate Trail" and the "Trail of Terror" events with the printing of 50,000 brochures for each, and printing rack cards for each. The grant will also be used to print 20,000 rack cards to promote 3 communities in the CVB area; print advertisements to promote the events and attractions.

St. Charles CVB will receive a $13,747.80 grant to print 75,000 brochures to promote the "2000 St. Charles Scarecrow Festival"; also advertise in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide.

Lisle Convention & Visitors Bureau will receive a $14,890.00 grant to promote the events sponsored by the CVB through a web site advertisement; and print 20,000 copies of a pop-up map of the area.

DuPage CVB will receive a $10,696.61 grant to advertise in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote the communities of Westmont, Downers Grove, Lisle, & DuPage County with a full page ad.

Spanish Center, Inc. will receive a $1,241.76 grant to develop a web site and place an advertisement to promote the 5th annual Joliet Latin Music Festival.

Naperville Development Partnership will receive a $33,684.50 grant to print 50,000 brochures, attend trade shows and place advertisements to promote the Naperville area.

Chicago Plus will receive a $88,122.00 grant to print 500,000 Chicagoland Travel Ideas to promote the attractions and events around the Chicago and the surrounding area.

Western IL Tourism Development Office will receive a $7,458.75 grant to place advertisement in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote East Peoria, the Quad Cities and the Western Region of IL

Princeton Chamber of Commerce will receive a $9,506.25 grant to place radio and TV ads to promote the Princeton area.

Macomb Area CVB will receive a $8,715.68 grant to place print ads and TV ads to promote the St. Louis Rams Summer Training Camp held in Macomb, IL

P.R.I.D.E. of Peoria, Inc. will receive a $4,939.50 grant to design and print 50,000 Peoria Riverfront brochures.

Pike County Color Tour will receive a $3,312.46 grant to print 20,000 brochures and place many print ads to promote the Fall Color Tour.

John Deere Commons will receive a $1,750.00 grant to develop a Web site for the John Deere Commons to promote the attractions, the Grand Illinois Road, and events in Moline.

Douglas County Tourism Council will receive a $11,710.80 grant to print 100,000 brochures and place TV ads to promote the attractions, events, & communities in the county during a 6-week period.

Rail Charity Golf Classic will receive a grant of $3,423.00 to cover the costs of placing news and TV advertisements to promote the 25th anniversary of the LPGA Classic.

Carlinville Community Chamber of Commerce will receive a $2,756.03 grant to place billboards in Springfield, St. Louis, Decatur, & Champaign to promote the 11th Annual Carlinville Christmas Market.

Springfield Children's Museum will receive a $1,500.00 grant to print 60,000 brochures to promote 6 Central Illinois museums: Springfield, Bloomington, Decatur, Champaign, Rockford, & Bourbonnais.

IL Motorcycle Dealers Association will receive a $10,088.00 grant to cover costs associated with printing 20,000 brochures and place print ads to promote the Springfield Racing Weekend held during the IL State Fair, and the AMA U.S. Flat Track National Championship Season Finale held during the DuQuoin State Fair.

Southwestern IL Tourism and Convention Bureau will receive a $12,984.30 grant to place a full page ad in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote attractions in 8 counties including Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Randolph, St. Clair, & Washington.

The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce will receive a $1,204.14 grant to place print advertisements to promote the 11th annual three-day Centralia Balloon Festival.

Rend Lake Conservancy District will receive a $38,039.00 grant to place two billboards for 12 months, print 100,000 brochures, and place radio ad spots to promote the Rend Lake area.

Hotel-Motel Association of Illinois will receive a $3,662.50 grant to design and print 50,000 supplement directories which include updates to the original 2000 Hotel-Motel Directory.

IL Council of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for Team Illinois will receive a $26,073.50 grant to design and print copies of Team IL Group Tour Promotion/Guide; print covers and assemble copies of Rand McNally Executive Road Atlas; and design an ad for Team IL advertising market.

Lincoln Park Zoological Society will receive a $2,972.25 grant to place a ¼ page ad in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide.

Mayor's Office of Special Events will receive a $11,732.00 grant to print brochures and place advertising for the 2000 late summer/early fall weekend festivals, i.e., Venetian Night, Air & Water Show, Viva!, Jazz, and the Celtic festivals.

Museum of Science and Industry will receive a $42,637.98 grant to market the events at the museum with a year-round print ad campaign for leisure travel and meeting planners, and distribute museum information at 5 travel trade shows.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) for McCormick Place will receive a $20,238.75 grant to print 200,000 Guest Services brochures, & print 100,000 Exhibitor Labor Guides for convention and meeting planners.

Chicago Theatre Group, Inc./Goodman Theatre will receive a $22,968.00 grant to place an advertisement in the New York Times to announce the new theatre and the new season.

Evanston Convention and Visitors Bureau will receive a $16,125.12 grant to print a ½ page ad for the 2000 IL Holiday Guide, the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes, & the Destination Planning Guide publications.

Cinema/Chicago will receive a $12,840.80 grant to place many print ads to promote the 36th Annual Film Festival.

The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association will receive a $12,435.75 grant to print 100,000 "The Magnificent Mile Activity Guide", and place a ¼ page ad in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote the annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

The Great North Michigan Avenue Association will receive a $26,804.25 grant to print 450,000 English and 50,000 German "The Great North Michigan Avenue Association Area Guides".

Chicago Architecture Foundation will receive a $14,221.00 grant to print 35,000 Chicago Architecture Tour brochures, print a 1/8 page ad in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes, and attend two travel trade shows to promote the events and attractions supported by the foundation.

Navy Pier (Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority) will receive $47,811.72 to redesign and print 1 million Navy Pier visitor guides, and place ads in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide, the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes, the Home & Away, & Group Tour Magazine.

Rosemont Convention Bureau will receive a $10,338.19 grant to place a full page ad in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote the holiday events in the Rosemont area.

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio Foundation will receive a $19,870.99 grant to design and print a total of 285,000 English, German, Japanese, French, Italian, & Spanish brochures; and place an ad in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes.

Chicago Humanities Festival will receive a $30,342.60 grant to place print ads to promote the November 2-12, 2000 kickoff for the yearly events.

Museum of Broadcast Communications will receive a $3,605.00 grant to print 100,000 rack cards to promote the Museum and the Radio Hall of Fame.

Chicago Office of Tourism will receive a $5,663.25 grant to place a ½ page ad in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide to promote events in Chicago.

Oak Park Visitors Bureau will receive a $27,540.43 grant to promote the Oak Park tourism area with ad placements in the Midwest Living Magazine, Home & Away Magazine, the Chicago Official Visitors Guide, the IL Visitors Guide, & the 2001 IL Weekend Guide.

Museum of Contemporary Art will receive a $7,942.95 grant to promote the museum with print ads in the fall and winter issues of the Chicago Official Visitors Guide, 2 issues of the Midwest Living Magazine, Group Tour Magazine, & Travel Today Magazine.

The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum will receive a $27,194.40 grant to print advertising placements in the 2000 IL Holiday Guide, the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes, & 2 issues of Midwest Living Magazine; in addition to registration and utility costs at 7 travel and trade shows to promote the events and attractions at the planetarium through several months.

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum will receive a $45,566.55 grant to place print ads and develop a web site to promote the opening and the new expansion of the museum.

The Art Institute of Chicago will receive a $55,342.40 grant to promote three exhibits and the permanent art collection at the museum through ad placements in 2 issues of Midwest Living Magazine, the 2000 IL Weekend Escapes, Home & Away Magazine, 2 issues of the Chicago Official Visitors Guide, and print ads in many Midwest states publications.

Facets Multimedia, Inc. will receive a $8,359.00 grant to print 150,000 schedules to promote the 17th Annual Chicago International Children's Festival.

The Field Museum of Natural History will receive a $40,444.00 grant to promote the Kremlin Gold exhibit through print advertisements in the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Tribune Magazine, the 2000 IL Holiday Guide, and Indiana and Michigan publications.

Chicago Botanic Garden/Chicago Horticultural Society will receive a $10,318.05 grant to placement of print ads in the Chicago Official Visitors Guide and the 2000 IL Holiday Guide.

Chicago Zoological Society will receive a $39,184.57 grant to print 125,000 brochures and 38 year-round advertisements to promote the attractions and the events at the zoo throughout the year.

Aurora Area Convention and Convention Bureau(CVB) will receive a $16,347.38 grant to place a full page ad in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes.

Lombard Park District will receive a $6,695.18 grant to place ads in eight newspapers to promote Lilacial Park and the annual Lilac Festival, April 18-22, 2001.

DuPage CVB will receive a $30,379.38 grant to place two full ad in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes with 6 brochure ads for DuPage county, Westmont, Lisle, Lombard, Oak Brook, & Downer's Grove.

Blackhawk CVB will receive a $ 13,210.00 grant to place ads in Midwest Living, Midwest Living-Best Weekend Vacations, and the Chicago Sun-Times; print 25,000 rack cards promoting Fulton county, and print 50,000 rack cards promoting Savanna; and, print 20,000 brochures to promote the Fulton Dutch Days.

Ottawa Visitors Center will receive a $21,897.50 grant to promote the attractions and events in the area with advertising in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes; and, design and print 20,000 pocket brochures.

Stephenson County CVB will receive a $8,866.00 grant to design and print 33,000 '2001 Stephenson County Visitor Guides'.

Kankakee County CVB will receive a $8,528.00 grant to print 40,000 '2001 Kankakee County Visitor Guides'.

Naper Settlement will receive a $2,650.00 grant to place a black and white ad in the January issue of the Chicagoland Travel Ideas of Midwest Living to promote Naper Settlement in Naperville, IL.

Aurora Area CVB will receive a $15,340.00 grant to print 50,000 brochures titled "The Fox Runs Through It: Tales and Trails of the Fox River Valley"; and place ads in three issues of Midwest Living.

Lisle CVB will receive a $ 7,117.50 grant to promote the theme "Take a Closer Cook at Lisle" with several ads through April 2001 in the Religious Conference Manager, the Midwest Meetings Magazine, and the PCMA/Convene.

Galena/JoDaviess CVB will receive a $72,186.90 grant to print, TV, & radio ads and print 150,000 visitor guides to promote the holiday season and year-round events in the Galena area.

Sycamore Chamber of Commerce will receive a $2,697.50 grant to design and print 20,000 brochures to promote the historic sites in the Sycamore area.

Aurora Area CVB will receive a $1,750.00 grant to print a 1/6 page ad in the 2000-2001 Illinois Travel Ideas.

Western IL Tourism Development Office will receive a $3,474.38 grant to three brochures ads Naive, Bishop Hill, and Spoon River Drive in the "2001 Illinois Weekend Escape".

Western IL Tourism Development Office will receive a $9,750.00 grant to place a full page ad in the "2001&2002 Travel Guide" to promote the following areas: Peoria CVB, Macomb CVB, Galesburg CVB, Naive Chamber of Commerce, and the Three Sisters Park.

County of Greene will receive a $2,048.00 grant to design and print 50,000 brochures to promote Greene county and the National Scenic Byway in the area.

Central States Threshermen's Reunion will receive a $1,669.96 grant to print 20,000 brochures to promote the 53rd annual implement reunion in Pontiac, IL.

Solid Gold Futurity, LTD./International Livestock Exposition will receive a $6,028.50 grant to promote the International Livestock Exposition held in Springfield, IL in 2001 through TV and print advertising.

Central IL Tourism Development Office(CITDO) will receive a $15,047.00 Travel/trade show costs associated with booth space, furniture & utility costs for attendance for Central IL Tourism Development Office and Douglas county tourism; placement of a 1/6 page ad each in Midwest Living Magazine for CITDO, Tuscola, & Arcola; and, placement of one brochure ad each in 2001 IL Weekend Escapes for CITDO, Arcola, Lincoln Log Cabin, & Lincoln New Salem; and, a ¼ page ad and free brochure ad for Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum.

Lincoln Sargent Farm Foundation will receive a $2,143.60 grant to print 85,000 brochures to promote the historic site.

Cumberland County Development Corporation will receive a $1,855.50 grant to design and print 20,000 brochures to promote historic Cumberland county and the National Road of Rt. 66.

Paris Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism will receive a $2,710.00 grant to print 20,000 brochures to promote the historic sites and events in Edgar county.

IL Shakespeare Festival will receive a $7,227.34 grant to promote the annual summer Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington, IL through advertising in Home & Away Magazine, Midwest Traveler Magazine, Midwest Living, Best Vacations Magazine, the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes, and the 2000-2001 IL Travel Guide.

Southwestern IL Tourism and Convention Bureau will receive a $22,410.00 grant to cover advertising costs in the Southwestern IL Visitors Guide for the following counties: Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington.

Southernmost IL Delta Empowerment Zone, Inc. will receive a $15,473.00 grant to print of 50,000 brochures, redesign the web site, and place print ads and other print tourism publications to promote of the southermost area of IL.

Carbondale Convention and Tourism Bureau will receive a $5,462.50 grant to print 30,000 rack cards print 30,000 brochures, and place print ads to promote Carbondale's Woodlawn Cemetery, a city enhancement project, as the location of the first Memorial Day during the Civil War.

Illinois Antique Association will receive a $4,319.50 grant to print 50,000 Antique Shop Guides to promote antique shops and malls in 42 southern counties of IL.

Collinsville CVB will receive a $5,889.58 grant to design ad and advertising space costs for a full page ad in the 2001 Official St. Louis Visitor's Guide to promote the attractions and events in the Collinsville area.

Southwestern IL Tourism and Convention Bureau will receive a $34,128.85 grant to place one and one-half page ads with 10 brochure ads in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes to promote the following communities and entities : City of Greenville, O'Fallon, Caseyville, Vandalia, Village of Pontoon Beach, the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, and the Collinsville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Hotel-Motel Association of Illinois will receive a $24,017.00 grant to print 200,000 copies of the 2001 Hotel-Motel Directory.

Illinois Campground Association will receive a $6,832.50 grant to print 66,000 IL Campground and RV Park Directories, and assist with booth space rental costs for four travel/trade shows.

The Lira Ensemble, Inc. will receive a $6,932.00 grant to place of a ½ page ad in the 2001 IL Weekend Escapes to promote four large-scale performances on May 9-13, 2001 and the ZaprasZamy: A Polish Weekend in Chicago May 11-13, 2001.

TOTAL$1,322,172.27

PRIVATE SECTOR GRANT PROGRAM

Finally, Governor Ryan announced grants to six local organizations worth more than $200,000 from the Tourism Private Sector Grants program. The funds assisted organizations in hosting several Illinois sporting events held this summer through early fall.

"The anticipated revenue from these six events is well over $4.5 million, which is the type of economic impact that the state's investment in tourism promotion is designed to leverage," Ryan said.

The grants were awarded through DCCA's Tourism Private Sector Grant Program. The program provides public matching funds that are used by the private sector to attract high-profile international and national sporting events, trade shows and conventions.

The Tourism Private Sector Grant Program was created in 1994. Since its inception, the program has funded such major events as the Big 10 Basketball Tournament and the 2000 U.S. Women's Golf Open.

"Our research shows that more travelers are coming to Illinois to attend these types of events and this grant program is designed to assist communities with the cost of attracting and hosting them," McDonough said.

A list of the six grant recipients and a brief description follows:

Mattoon Babe Ruth World Series Corporation received $49,000 to host the Cal Ripken Jr. Division Baseball World Series, August 19-27, 2000. This 8-day, youth event had strong community support. The event, televised worldwide on Fox TV, attracted 15 teams from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Italy, Holland and Australia.

Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association received $30,000 to host the Springfield Short Track Race on September 1, 2000. This Friday night race on Labor Day Weekend was held in the new arena at the State Fairgrounds.

Illinois Motorcycle Dealers Association received $50,000 to host the AMU U.S. Flat Track Championship Season Finale at DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, October 14 & 15, 2000. This race represented the season finale and had been held in California for the past 20 years.

State Farm Rail Classic received $25,000 to host the "Meet the Legends" Event at the annual State Farm Rail Classic on August 20, 2000. Nationally televised, this annual golf tournament was successful in generating an economic impact for the Springfield area. The addition of the "Meet the Legends" event helped increase awareness of this Illinois tournament and promoted the 25th Anniversary by highlighting the LPGA Legends.

Rockford Area CVB received $27,594 to host the 2000 American Fastpitch Association National (Girls under 14) Tournament on July 31-August 6, 2000. The tournament involved 84 teams.

Mt. Vernon Raceway, Inc. received $25,000 to host the Land of Lincoln $10,000 race on July 22, 2000. The projected attendance of this event was 15,000 day visitors.

TOTAL$206,594