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Travelers flocked to the ‘Middle of Everything’ last year, generating over $88 billion in economic impact
Illinois tourism hit record highs in 2025, with 115 million visitors generating over $88 billion in economic impact for the state's communities.
By Maggie Dougherty · 2026-09-05T01:18:01.342Z
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
CHICAGO — Illinois tourism reached new peaks last year, breaking records on visitor spending and generating over $88 billion in total economic impact, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced.
The growth was driven by around 115 million domestic and international tourists, who spent $50.2 billion while traveling in Illinois — an increase of 3.5% from the year before, and marking the first time the state has surpassed the $50 billion threshold for visitor spending.
“We’re in the Middle of Everything and there’s something here for everyone — from the beaches of Lake Michigan to the rolling prairies of Southern Illinois,” said Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. “Illinois has a rich history, culture, and natural beauty and we’re excited to welcome people from near and far to enjoy it all.”
Read more: ‘Hidden gem’: Growing number of visitors discovering southern Illinois as travel destination https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/hidden gem growing number of visitors discovering southern illinois as travel destination/
The spending also produced nearly $5 billion in direct state and local tax revenues for Illinois communities and $372 million in hotel tax revenue.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, the state’s ‘Middle of Everything’ tourism campaign helped generate an additional 2.8 million trips and $904 million in visitor spending last year.
Illinois’ tourism industry was also supported by over $3.3 million in state grants in fiscal year 2025, helping to promote projects like the state’s Route 66 centennial celebrations https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/more than just a road illinois communities celebrate route 66s centennial/ and the Illinois America 250 https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of american independence/ campaign.
Read more: Illinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of American independence https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/illinois unveils plans to celebrate 250 years of american independence/ | ‘More than just a road’: Illinois communities celebrate Route 66’s centennial https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/more than just a road illinois communities celebrate route 66s centennial/
The state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity says it is expanding its focus on outdoor recreation activities with a dedicated unit within its tourism office.
Outdoor recreation activities have been the primary draw for tourism to the southern part of the state https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/hidden gem growing number of visitors discovering southern illinois as travel destination/ in recent years, with visitors taking advantage of hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and ziplining in Shawnee National Forest — and wine tasting at vineyards along five wine trails.
Capitol News Illinois https://capitolnewsillinois.com/ is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
This story originally appeared on capitolnewsillinois.com https://capitolnewsillinois.com/news/travelers flocked to the middle of everything last year generating over 88 billion in economic impact .