Legislative session helps pick up business in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — When legislative session kicks off at the capitol, hundreds of new people head into Springfield for meetings and lobbying. This gives businesses around the capital city a chance to connect with a new customer base.

"Typically when session is going on we see higher occupancy rates through the city of Springfield," said Darin Dame, the President of the Springfield Hotel and Lodging Association. "We always want to see if they can stay another night to go visit the visitor sites or have a convention here."

Dame said the goal is to connect with legislators so they come back for a future vacation, or stay there when they return for legislative work.

Restaurants throughout downtown Springfield say their business more than doubles when session is happening. This push helps small businesses stay afloat after coming out of the slow winter season.

"When session and tourists come in town it does pick up significantly and balances out to help us stay open even through the tough times," said Maria Crane, a waitress at 6th Street Cafe. "Downtown is picking up gradually, but session definitely helps us out tremendously."

Crane says she loves to connect with new customers from the Chicago area or downstate, who come back for breakfast or lunch every time they return to Springfield. Casual restaurants get a boost during lunch, while specialty restaurants tend to see a boost from business dinners.

Employees like Crane say session helps them get practice in before summer starts and tourists head into the city.