McCormick Place
July 11
Arlington Park Racecourse
July 18
Mystic Blue at Navy Pier
August 6
Warwick Allerton - Chicago
August 20
Harborside International
Golf Center
September 17
Tuckaway Golf Club, Crete
October 22
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Bloomington-Airport
October 23
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
October 30
Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel
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STRATEGIC PARTNERS
GOLD SPONSOR
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Greetings from Springfield, one of the many stops throughout Illinois that I have made in recent weeks to meet with our members. Being in the field helps me hear first-hand how IHLA can continue to provide value to our members and grow our influence statewide. To that point,
our strategic plan is progressing well and I am looking forward to finalizing a three-year plan to ensure our organization is providing exactly what our members need. If you haven't done so already, I hope you will take 10-15 minutes to
complete our member survey, which is a critical component to this process. You should have received emails about this survey already and I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback.
The arrival of MLB Opening Day means one thing: Spring is finally here. Whether you are a Cubs, Cardinals, or White Sox fan, I think we can all agree on one thing... we're ready for the summer travel season throughout the state! But April also means that our
Gala is right around the corner - in fact it's just over a week away. There are still limited tickets and tables available, so don't delay in purchasing your ticket and celebrating our industry with hundreds of your colleagues.
I hope to see you all in Chicago next week!
Michael
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After the election of Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot in Chicago, IHLA launched a full-court press to
educate the incoming Mayor and her team about the impact her proposed hotel-tax increase would have on tourism to the state. Our efforts proved successful when
Lightfoot reversed course and retreated on her proposal. We continue to develop relationships with the Mayor-Elect's inner-circle of advisors and are looking forward to working with her to continue growing tourism not just to Chicago but to the entire region.
On April 8, Chicago's City Council
"killed" the proposed Fair Workweek Ordinance that IHLA has fought hard against in recent months. While we made progress in our negotiations with organized labor on some of the provisions, we ultimately concluded that the ordinance still had serious issues and we worked with our champions in City Council to cancel the planned vote. However, we do expect the ordinance to return very soon in the next City Council, which will be far more progressive than the current Council. This, combined with the fact that Lori Lightfoot has already expressed her support for the ordinance, poses challenges to us and leads us to assume that something will still pass. However, we will continue to work with both Labor and our friends in City Council to try to find a reasonable solution and ensure the hotel industry's voice is heard. On Sunday, Michael appeared on
WGN Radio's Sunday Spin to give IHLA's perspective on the ordinance.
In Springfield, two notable bills related to hotels passed out of the Senate last week. SB119, which would require contractors in the "gig-economy" (i.e. short-term rental hosts) to report their income and pay state income-tax on their earnings, passed out of the Senate 57-0 and is headed to the House. SB75, which requires Illinois hotels to implement employee safety devices by July 1, 2020, passed the Senate 51-3 and is also headed to the House. As a reminder, IHLA worked with the Senate sponsor to make several key amendments that took into account some technological and logistical concerns and aligned the legislation with the
plans of most major brands to already roll out these devices throughout 2020. If this bill passes the House, IHLA will release resources to our members to help them prepare for this deadline next year.
Finally, the increase in the state lodging per-diem rate is on track to become effective on July 1, 2019. The increase is still progressing through some required administrative rule making before it becomes effective later this year. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
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The Hospitality Gala
 April 26, 2019
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
Join us for a night of entertainment like you've never experienced before! Celebrate the achievements of our industry with an evening featuring BMI recording artist Marc Scibilia as well as spectacular food and libations. A perfect evening to reward top employee performers or entertain top clients!
IHLAEF Seminar: Employment Law
May 9, 2019
Swissotel Chicago |
May 23, 2019
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
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 Join IHLA for an educational seminar with Robert T. Bernstein, Partner at Laner Muchin, Ltd. discussing
key labor and employment topics to help best protect your hotels including: An update on more recent Illinois, Cook County and Chicago employment laws; important wage and hour developments and trends; and major employment cases and rulings affecting your hotels. Select from two dates and locations!
2019 Scholarship Applications
 Application Deadline: May 10, 2019
IHLAEF 2019 scholarship applications are available on our website at IllinoisHotels.org/Scholarships.
Please encourage eligible family, friends, and colleagues to apply.
Hospitality Awards Luncheon
In Conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Show
May 21, 2019
McCormick Place South
Honoring the Recipients of the IHLA J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award
Marc J. Gordon
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Arnie F. Karr
And the Recipients of the Ambassador of Hospitality Awards
Holly Agra, President, Chicago's First Lady Cruises
Anthony Klok, Principal, Rebel Hospitality, LLC & 2019 Board Chairman, BW Hotels & Resorts
Master of Ceremonies: Lauren Magiera, WGN Sports Reporter/Anchor
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Illinois Hotel & Tourism News
Government Affairs Updates
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Welcome New Hotel & Allied Members
50 N Martingale Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60173
GM: Andreo Girardi
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77 W Buckley Rd
Libertyville, IL 60527
GM: Chad Dane
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 AMEX Global Business Travel offers advertising to hotel properties around the world who are a part of the preferred hotel network. Drive more awareness and bookings to your property through paid advertising which reaches GBT's travel counsellors and travelers around the world.
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Danville Area CVB
 The Danville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau promotes tourism within Danville and Vermilion County Illinois. Danville offers world class museums, shops full of rare and unique finds, watchable wildlife to enjoy, and various sporting events.
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