Illinois Hotels Report Record Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023 | Chicago…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to reporters at a news conference celebrating the continued recovery of the tourism industry on July 10, 2023. (Andrew Adams / Capitol News Illinois)

CHICAGO – For hoteliers, business is booming in Illinois.

On Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state’s legislative leadership and representatives of the hospitality industry announced that hotels in Illinois saw record revenues in fiscal year 2023, which ended June 30.

Across the state, hotels brought in $307.8 million to the state, according to figures from the state’s Department of Revenue. That beats fiscal year 2019, the previous record year for hotel income and the last year before the pandemic upended the hospitality industry.

Revenue in 2023 was up 35.8% from the prior year and 230.1% from fiscal year 2021, when the pandemic was still significantly affecting peoples’ travel habits.

“Tourism means more jobs for hotel and hospitality and recreation workers – good paying jobs with health…