Anderson Japanese Gardens is among Rockford’s top tourism attractions. (Winnebago Chronicle photo)

The Illinois budget impasse is now threatening to affect a vital component of the Rockford area’s economy.

Regional tourism officials say that budget cuts will force unspecified cuts in marketing efforts and potential staff cuts to the agency responsible for promoting the city and region.

“Due to the current budget impasse between Gov. (Bruce) Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois tourism’s statutorily mandated funding from the state has been cut,” said John Groh, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO in an open letter released on Wednesday, July 15.

“At the present time, we do not know the amount of funding available from the state to market and promote Illinois and the Rockford area over the next year,” Groh added. “Based on this uncertainty, many CVBs (convention and visitors’ bureaus) — including RACVB— have had to cancel or shorten ad campaigns and visitors guides, some have eliminated staff and many have delayed planning fall and winter campaigns.”

RACVB estimated that tourism and visitors generate $325 million in annual spending, supporting more than 3,000 jobs.

“It a devastating blow to our efforts of bringing in visitors to the Rockford area and state,” Groh said. “In 2013 alone, Illinois hosted over 105 million visitors and those visitors spent over $34.6 billion in our state.”

Groh asked tourism partners and other interested parties to lobby Gov. Rauner. and legislators via an electronic letter posted at the Chicago Convention and Tourism web site (chooosechicago.com).

“As a partner and champion, you know what tourism does for our region and the entire state,” Groh wrote.  “Now, more than ever, we need your help.”

The Illinois budget impasse is now threatening to affect a vital component of the Rockford area’s economy.

Regional tourism officials say that budget cuts will force unspecified cuts in marketing efforts and potential staff cuts to the agency responsible for promoting the city and region.

“Due to the current budget impasse between Gov. (Bruce) Rauner and the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois tourism’s statutorily mandated funding from the state has been cut,” said John Groh, Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau president and CEO in an open letter released on Wednesday, July 15.

“At the present time, we do not know the amount of funding available from the state to market and promote Illinois and the Rockford area over the next year,” Groh added. “Based on this uncertainty, many CVBs (convention and visitors’ bureaus) — including RACVB— have had to cancel or shorten ad campaigns and visitors guides, some have eliminated staff and many have delayed planning fall and winter campaigns.”

RACVB estimated that tourism and visitors generate $325 million in annual spending, supporting more than 3,000 jobs.

“It a devastating blow to our efforts of bringing in visitors to the Rockford area and state,” Groh said. “In 2013 alone, Illinois hosted over 105 million visitors and those visitors spent over $34.6 billion in our state.”

Groh asked tourism partners and other interested parties to lobby Gov. Rauner. and legislators via an electronic letter posted at the Chicago Convention and Tourism web site (chooosechicago.com).

“As a partner and champion, you know what tourism does for our region and the entire state,” Groh wrote.  “Now, more than ever, we need your help.”

— Budget cuts could be ‘devastating’ to Rockford area tourism —