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Dear Chicago Visitor Industry Champion,

The State of Illinois is now in its third month without a budget and Choose Chicagos statutorily mandated
state funding remains frozen. This is our largest single source of revenue representing 40% of our annual
operating budget.
We have already implemented significant reductions, including pulling the summer media campaign out
of the national market two months earlier than planned and planning for the winter campaign remains on
hold. Additionally, all travel for our sales, marketing and public relations teams has been suspended. I
would be remiss if I did not caution you about further reductions in the short term.
As long as this budget impasse continues, the economic health of the city and state will be negatively
impacted as a result of the reduced tourism efforts. As it stands today, this impact will be felt sooner rather
than later. As a result of Choose Chicago's strategies and initiatives, Chicagos visitor industry has grown
at an exponential pace and with record-breaking results.
More than $11 billion in new and recommitted business as a result of the McCormick Place
reforms
Total visitation to Chicago has increased 15% since 2011 to 50.17 million domestic and overseas
visitors. Chicago joins New York City and Orlando as the only three U.S. cities to exceed 50
million annual visitors.
Chicago's hotel room demand has reached historic levels with 17 months of record demand and
continues to outpace national growth in all key performance indicators.
Tourism-related employment since 2011 has increased 6% to 136,000 good-paying and careeroriented jobs. More than 2,500 jobs were added in 2014, the fourth largest increase in the past ten
years.
Tourism spending has increased by $2.1 billion to $14.1 billion since 2011.
Now, we need YOUR help. Lets show Springfield the power and commitment of Chicagos visitor industry.
Please sign & share the petition supporting the restoration of Choose Chicagos statutorily mandated
state funding. Cutting an organization that is a driving force for the city and state's economic recovery is
irresponsible and unwarranted.
On behalf of everyone here at Choose Chicago, thank you for your continued commitment and support and
the work you do every day for our industry. We're all in this together!
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Sincerely,
Don Welsh
President & CEO
Choose Chicago

Choose Chicago
301 East Cermak Road | Chic ago, IL, 60616
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