McCormick Place
June 20
Spirit of Chicago at Navy Pier
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 23
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
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STRATEGIC PARTNERS
GOLD SPONSOR
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Earlier this week, nearly 100 hospitality professionals converged in Springfield for our annual Lobby Day. We were proud to partner with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitor Bureaus and the Illinois Restaurant Association to amplify our collective voice on some critical issues facing our industry. More information on our advocacy priorities are below. Our Springfield visit was one of many stops of mine in recent weeks around the state, visiting our membership. In cities like Champaign, Northbrook, Rockford, Moline and many others, I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing from our members on enhancing the value of IHLA membership and ways we can continue to involve our hotels and partners throughout the entire state. I'm looking forward to seeing many more of our members in regions statewide in the coming weeks.
Coming together as an industry to celebrate the success of hotels in Illinois is my favorite part of this job.
Our annual gala is fast approaching and I hope to see you there. BMI recording artist
Marc Scibilia will join us for an evening of live music, entertainment, festive libations and the phenomenal company of hundreds of your colleagues.
Purchase your table or ticket while you still can.
Thank you for your continued support of IHLA.
Michael
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Efforts continue in Springfield on many issues facing the hotel and tourism industry. During Lobby Day this week, hoteliers advocated in opposition of capping the hotel tax collection allowance that would cost hotels thousands of dollars each year. On a positive note, SB 119, which would require "gig economy" contractors, including Airbnb hosts, to begin paying their income tax after hitting $600 in income (like all other contractors) passed unanimously out of the Senate revenue committee last week. This bill is estimated to raise $25 million in new revenue for the state each year.
We have also made progress in negotiating a compromise with the sponsor of a bill to require employee safety devices for certain hotel employees statewide. The Senate sponsor has accepted many of our proposed changes which would mimic the directives that most of the hotel brands have already committed to under the
5-Star Pledge announced last fall. We expect this bill to be heard in Committee in the coming weeks and continue to grain traction. If passed, it is expected to take effect on July 1, 2020.
In Chicago, we are hearing that the Restrictive Scheduling Ordinance may be voted on during the April City Council meeting. We are furiously working to amplify our message that this will drastically impact our operations and that many of our employees simply don't want these new restrictions.
And in Cook County, the new tax assessor has proposed changes to how commercial properties report their income which goes into calculating their property tax assessments. We have met with the Assessor in recent weeks and have proposed changes to his legislation, many of which were included in a recent amendment filed in the legislature.
Thank you to those who attended our recent webinar on legislative issues and to those who joined us in Springfield for Lobby Day. As of next week, the state's legislative session will be half complete which only means that we still have a lot of work cut out for us. We'll continue to keep you updated on developments.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
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I-WIL Salutes Women's History Month
March 21, 2019
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
 Join our Illinois Women in Lodging Chapter for an intimate conversation on women's achievements and the drive leading social change. Network with leading women in hospitality, celebrate the legacy of Bertha H. Palmer, enjoy light bites and beverages, and hear from special guest speakers: Rosemarie S. Andolino, Manchester Airport Group - International Development Chairman & CEO; Janet Isabelli, Isabelli Media Relations CEO & Founder; and Ken Price, Palmer House Historian & PR Director.
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!
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.
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Editorials from our President & CEO
Illinois Hotel & Tourism News
StayGreen Spotlight
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Welcome New Hotel & Allied Members
 Kinship is a marketing and public relations agency specializing in hotels and restaurants. "We connect the world through stories, moments and data. We talk last. We listen first. We focus on ROI. But most of all, we fight - fiercely - for those who market with meaning.
We often need a story more than food. They share who we are and what is possible. What we call upon. That we might believe in others. These storytellers - our partners in food, travel and culture - inspire all we do. We commit ourselves every day to the best work of our lives building value in their businesses."
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