Crespo Passes Legislation to Promote Local Tourism

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, passed legislation through the House which aims to grow the economy of suburban communities like Schaumburg and others across the state by promoting tourism.

“Trade shows and all the different types of meetings hosted at local conventions centers are key contributors to the success of suburban economies,” said Crespo. “This legislation is a bipartisan effort to continue supporting communities like Schaumburg so that they are able to grow and prosper like bigger cities.”

Crespo is the chief sponsor of House Bill 4990, which would provide grants from the Tourism Promotion Fund for convention centers to offer incentives in order to ensure a meeting, trade show or convention uses their facility. Currently convention centers in Schaumburg, Quincy, Springfield, Tinley Park, Peoria, Collinsville, Moline and Lombard as well as the Indoor Sports Center in Rockford qualify for the grants.  In order for a convention center to be eligible under the program, the facility must be owned by a local government.

“Meetings Means Business to Illinois and HB 4990 is a great example of revenue neutral approach to bring new meetings and events into Illinois to make a positive economic impact,” said Dave Parulo, President of Meet Chicago Northwest – the tourism bureau for Chicago’s Northwest Suburbs.