McCormick Place
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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Last week, I had the honor of spending time with Mark Aleman and our other members in Quincy. Beyond sharing my vision for IHLA's future, it was nice to see first-hand the qualities of a city that has led to growth in their hotel industry over the past year. Similarly, we recently met with over a dozen hotels from the Schaumburg-area to get feedback on our path forward as an organization.
Last night, Chicago joined many other cities throughout the state in electing a new Mayor. We are excited to begin working with Mayor-Elect Lori Lightfoot to turn her into a champion for tourism and continue Mayor Emanuel's efforts to bring more visitors to our city and surrounding regions. In Chicago's City Council, many of our friends who faced runoffs won re-election, including the leading force behind regulating Airbnb in the city, Michele Smith.
There are still tickets and tables available for our annual Hospitality Gala. In addition to Marc Scibilia, who recently toured with Zac Brown Band, hospitality professionals will dance the night away to dueling pianos from Howl at the Moon. Not only will it be a night of celebrating our industry, purchasing a table or tickets helps support the work that IHLA does on your behalf.
Michael
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In Chicago, a vote on the Fair Workweek ordinance is expected in City Council in the next week. IHLA continues to oppose the current proposal and we are pushing for significant changes to the ordinance that would address serious operational concerns for hotels. Thank you to those Chicago hoteliers who have already sent messages to their Aldermen. If you haven't already sent around our Action Alert to your Chicago employees, please do so TODAY.
In Springfield, the bill to require employee safety devices to be implemented statewide passed out of committee and will likely pass the Senate in the near future. As reported previously, this bill included all of the changes that IHLA proposed, including pushing out the effective date to July 1, 2020. If this bill passes into law, IHLA will being communicating the requirements and the resources available to our members as you begin researching your options.
Similarly, a bill requiring human trafficking training at hotels throughout the state also passed out of committee last week. This legislation allows for existing training programs, provided by corporate brands or third-party providers, to suffice. And IHLA will be developing our own human trafficking training for our members to ensure that hotels not already receiving a training are able to comply by these new rules, should they become law.
Given the amount of issues and the pace they are progressing, it is hard to provide all of the updates in such few words in this newsletter. As always, feel free to reach out if you want any additional information on these issues or any others that IHLA is engaged with in Springfield or in cities around the state.
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UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS
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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!
IHLAEF Seminar: Employment Law
May 9, 2019
Swissotel Chicago |
May 23, 2019
Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
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 Join IHLA for an educational seminar with Robert T. Bernstein, Partner at Laner Muchin, Ltd. discussing
key labor and employment topics to help best protect your hotels including: An update on more recent Illinois, Cook County and Chicago employment laws; important wage and hour developments and trends; and major employment cases and rulings affecting your hotels. Note, we are offering this seminar at two different dates and locations.
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.
Hospitality Awards Luncheon
In Conjunction with the National Restaurant Association Show
May 21, 2019
McCormick Place South
Honoring the Recipients of the IHLA J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award
Marc J. Gordon
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Arnie F. Karr
And the Recipients of the Ambassador of Hospitality Awards
Holly Agra, President, Chicago's First Lady Cruises
Anthony "Tony" Klok, Principal, Rebel Hospitality, LLC & 2019 Board Chairman, BW Hotels & Resorts
Master of Ceremonies: Lauren Magiera, WGN Sports Reporter/Anchor
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Illinois Hotel & Tourism News
Government Affairs Updates
Editorials from our President & CEO
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Welcome New Allied Members
 SERVPRO specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage situation. They also mitigate mold and mildew from your home or business.
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 IHG® is one of the world's leading hotel companies, with a promise to provide True Hospitality for everyone; making everyone feel welcome and cared for, recognized and respected, whoever and wherever they are in the world.
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 Titan Security Group is a locally-owned and privately-held security company combining security staffing and emergency planning with electronic security systems.
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 Chicago's North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau is a Regional Marketing Destination for Chicago's North Shore.
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Lobby Day
March 12-13 |
Springfield
Hospitality Hires Chicago
March 19 |
Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
IHLA partnered with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Choose Chicago, Chicago Loop Alliance, Illinois Restaurant Association,
Near South Planning Board, and The Magnificent Mile Association to host another successful hiring event where hundreds of pre-screened job seekers were connected with 50 hospitality employers. We are proud to work with the Partnership to offer quality employment opportunities to diverse candidates from various communities in Chicago. Thank you to all our participating members and to Dean Lane and the Palmer House team for once again hosting this beneficial event.
I-WIL Salutes Women's History Month
March 21 | Palmer House a Hilton Hotel
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