FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2026

Media Contacts:
For Choose Chicago
Cynthia McCafferty
cynthia@hawthornestrategy.com
314-322-8647

For IHLA
Ryan McLaughlin
ryan@macstrategiesgroup.com
312-969-0255

Chicago, IL (March 18, 2026) – The Chicago City Council today approved a groundbreaking resolution establishing a Tourism Improvement District (TID), a move that will provide a stable and dedicated funding source for Choose Chicago, the city’s official destination marketing organization (DMO). This vital step positions Chicago to effectively compete with peer cities, including more than 200 others with established TIDs, whose DMOs benefit from significantly larger and more consistent budgets.

“This is a transformative moment for Chicago’s tourism industry,” said Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago. “With the TID in place, we now have the enhanced resources to match the ambition and vibrancy of our city. This investment will allow us to amplify our marketing efforts, attract more conventions and events and ultimately deliver significant benefits to Chicago’s economy and communities.”

“Tourism is a critical economic pillar for our city and Chicago must remain competitive,” said Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA). “The TID is a solution crafted and supported by the private sector, offering a sustainable path to enhanced tourism funding. It will help attract more visitors and events to Chicago, which will allow the tourism industry to continue to create jobs, drive economic activity, and generate long-term revenue for the city. We are thrilled that City Council had the vision to approve this important investment in Chicago’s future.”

The TID will generate funds through a 1.5% assessment on lodging stays at hotels with 100 or more rooms within designated zip codes, beginning May 1, 2026. These funds, projected to raise nearly $40 million annually, will be used to enhance Chicago’s presence in national and global markets, attract more leisure and business travelers, and drive economic growth for both the city and the state.

Over the next five years, the estimated impact of the TID is:

  • 25,000+ jobs created
  • $2.9B generated in visitor spending
  • $63.5M total hotel taxes generated
  • $268.3B in total economic impact

Years in the making, the TID ordinance was developed alongside — and supported by — a broad and diverse coalition of stakeholders, including the Chicago Federation of Labor, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, hotels, attractions, community groups, and local business owners.

“The City Council’s passage of this ordinance is great news for the thousands of Chicagoans who work in and rely on a vibrant visitor industry, and the thousands more who will be employed by the additional jobs this ordinance will create,” said Guy Chipparoni, Chair of the Board of Directors of Choose Chicago. “It sends a message to our competing cities that when it comes to attracting visitors, Chicago means business.”

The TID will be governed by a committee representing a diverse cross-section of hotel stakeholders whose properties are within the TID boundaries. This committee, which has yet to be appointed, will oversee the responsible allocation of funds, ensuring that all interests are represented and that the TID delivers maximum impact for Chicago’s hospitality sector and broader economy.

The establishment of the TID marks a critical step forward for Chicago, supporting enhanced marketing campaigns, meeting incentives, global event strategies, and creative partnerships.

For more information, visit VisitorsTodayJobsTomorrow.com.

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About Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association: The Illinois & Lodging Association (IHLA) serves as the essential resource and unified voice for advancing the lodging industry across Illinois. Consisting of more than 500 hotels and their employees throughout the state, IHLA advocates the industry’s position on political, legislative and regulatory issues that have the potential to impact the success of Illinois hotels. For more information, visit www.illinoishotels.org

About Choose Chicago: Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that’s Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city’s unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. Follow @choosechicago and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.