SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — It’s National Travel & Tourism week across the United States. For cities across central Illinois like Springfield and Decatur, tourism is a major economic driver.
Historic Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. May 5, 2025.
The Old State Capitol in Springfield is a major attraction. Monday school students, a woman from Georgia and a couple from Minnesota were among the visitors.
Melody and Daniel Michaelson of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota were visiting the Lincoln sites. They are on an eight state tour of historic Route 66 traveling from Chicago to Santa Monica Pier in California.
In Decatur, Teri Hammel Executive Director of the Decatur Area Convention & Visitors Bureau said in 2023, tourism revenue total $226.8 million in Macon County. Revenue comes through local food & beverage taxes, hotel taxes and gas taxes.
Hammel goes on to say tourism supports 1,533 jobs in Macon County.
Copyright 2025. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
