Illinois is making $2.4 million available in tourism funding through two state grant programs, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced. Applications for both programs will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Nov. 13.
The money is split between the Tourism Attraction Grant Program, with $1.8 million available, and the Tourism Private Sector Grant Program, with $600,000 available. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process.
Eligible entities can apply for grants to develop and improve new and existing tourism attractions through the Attraction program, and for grants to support and attract events and festivals through the Private Sector program.
Tourism Attraction Grant Program
The $1.8 million program provides funding for developing or improving tourism attractions such as museums, recreation areas and amusement parks. The state says the goal is to increase the economic impact of tourism by raising visitation rates, boosting hotel occupancy and increasing local hotel and sales tax revenue.
Eligible applicants include counties, municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups, for-profit entities and units of local government. Grants range from $15,000 to $200,000, with a 1:1 match requirement for non-profits and a 3:1 match requirement for for-profit entities.
DCEO will hold a webinar on the program at 10 a.m. on Oct. 22. The NOFO and application are available on the DCEO website at dceo.illinois.gov.
Tourism Private Sector Grant Program
The $600,000 program provides funding to attract, host and develop new or enhanced events and festivals across Illinois. The grant is open to non-profits, government entities, for-profit institutions and local promotional groups, as defined in state statute.
According to the release, funds can be used for advertising and marketing, transportation, building or equipment rental, receptions and banquets, registration, entertainment and more. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000, with a 1:1 match requirement.
DCEO will hold a webinar on this program at 2 p.m. on Oct. 22. The NOFO and application are available on the DCEO website.
Interested parties can reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance.
Background
In their statements, state officials pointed to recent tourism figures. Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel revenue in FY26 at $372 million, a $5 million increase over the FY25 record, the release said. The state welcomed 115 million visitors who spent $50.2 billion in 2025, surpassing the $50 billion mark for the first time.
"Our tourism attractions and local festivals bring people together and drive business to our Main Streets," Pritzker said. "This latest round of funding will help communities grow those destinations and events, welcome more visitors, and support local jobs."
The grant programs are administered through DCEO. According to DCEO's website, the Illinois Promotion Act authorizes the department to award such grants to local governments, nonprofits, local promotion groups and for-profit businesses for the development or improvement of tourism attractions.
Source: the original release