Tourism Private Sector Grant Program

Funder: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

The Tourism Private Sector Grant Program, authorized by the Illinois Promotion Act, aims to support Illinois-based organizations in attracting and hosting tourism events. Eligible projects include marketing, transportation, and event programming. Funding is available to for-profit entities, municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations. Ineligible activities encompass normal venue entertainment and permanent facility improvements. This initiative seeks to enhance the Illinois tourism landscape, creating a significant economic impact through increased visitor engagement.

Section 5(b) of the Illinois Promotion Act (20 ILCS 665) authorizes the Department to make grants to Illinois not-for-profit organizations, for-profit entities, counties, municipalities, and local promotion groups to match funds from sources in the private sector for the purpose of attracting and hosting tourism events in Illinois and developing new events and festivals in Illinois or enhancing existing Illinois festivals.
Tourism Event is defined as an event, such as a major convention, trade show, sporting activity or festival, with potential to attract visitors from outside a 50-mile radius and to produce significantly increased economic impact for the State of Illinois through overnight stays.
Tourism Festival is defined as an organized series of public activities for a specific duration that may include, but are not limited to, cultural performances, exhibitions, fairs, or carnivals that may include music and the service of food and beverages.

Eligibility

Eligible Projects and Activities – Activities eligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following costs associated with attracting and hosting events and festivals:Advertising and marketing activities directed toward areas outside of 50 miles from the event;
Telemarketing;
Promotional items (to the greatest extent practicable, Grantees should purchase or use goods, products, or materials produced in Illinois or the United States for expenditures and activities for which grant funds will be utilized); andTemporary staff.Eligible Applicants include:

• Illinois for-profit entity
• County;
• Municipality;
• Not-for-profit entity;
• Local promotion groups.

Ineligibility

Ineligible Projects and Activities – Activities that are ineligible for funding include, but are not limited to, the following:Normal entertainment planned for a venue, not in association with a specific event;
Normal payroll or operating expenses; and
Purchase of alcoholic beverages.