On March 18, 2026, the Chicago City Council today approved a groundbreaking resolution establishing a Tourism Improvement District (TID), a move that will provide a stable and dedicated funding source for Choose Chicago. This vital step positions Chicago to effectively compete with peer cities, including more than 200 others with established TIDs, whose DMOs beneﬁt from signiﬁcantly larger and more consistent budgets.

“This is a transformative moment for Chicago’s tourism industry,” said Kristen Reynolds, President & CEO of Choose Chicago. “With the TID in place, we now have the enhanced resources to match the ambition and vibrancy of our city. This investment will allow us to amplify our marketing efforts, attract more conventions and events and ultimately deliver signiﬁcant beneﬁts to Chicago’s economy and communities.”

“Tourism is a critical economic pillar for our city and Chicago must remain competitive,” said Michael Jacobson, President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association. “The TID is a solution crafted and supported by the private sector, offering a sustainable path to enhanced tourism funding. It will help attract more visitors and events to Chicago, which will allow the tourism industry to continue to create jobs, drive economic activity, and generate long-term revenue for the city. We are thrilled that City Council had the vision to approve this important investment in Chicago’s future.”

The TID will generate funds through a 1.5% assessment on lodging stays at hotels with 100 or more rooms within designated zip codes, beginning May 1, 2026. These funds, projected to raise nearly $40 million annually, will be used to enhance Chicago’s presence in national and global markets, attract more leisure and business travelers, and drive economic growth for both the city and the state.

Over the next ﬁve years, the estimated impact of the TID is:

25,000+ jobs created
$2.9B generated in visitor spending
$63.5M total hotel taxes generated
$268.3B in total economic impact

The TID will be governed by a committee representing a diverse cross-section of hotel stakeholders whose properties are within the TID boundaries. This committee, which has yet to be appointed, will oversee the responsible allocation of funds, ensuring that all interests are represented and that the TID delivers maximum impact for Chicago’s hospitality sector and broader economy.

Full press release here.