Legislative Accomplishments
IHLA is the leading voice for Illinois’ hotel and lodging industry. We work every day to protect hotel owners, operators, employees, and guests by advancing smart public policy, stopping harmful proposals, and ensuring lawmakers understand the real-world impact of their decisions on our industry.
From securing direct relief for hotels during the pandemic to modernizing state law, strengthening workplace safety, and protecting tourism funding, IHLA delivers results for members across Illinois.
Delivering Critical Relief for Illinois Hotels
When the pandemic created unprecedented challenges for hotels across the state, IHLA fought to make sure our industry was not left behind. Through our advocacy, Illinois hotels received a $75 million state ARPA grant — one of the largest direct relief allocations for hotel owners in the country. In total, IHLA helped secure more than $125 million in financial support for members throughout the pandemic. These funds helped sustain hotel operations and support thousands of hospitality employees.
Increasing the State Lodging Per Diem
IHLA passed legislation tying Illinois’ state lodging per diem rate to the federal per diem rate, creating a more consistent and competitive reimbursement structure for hotels hosting state-funded travelers. As a result, the state’s standard lodging rate increased from $107 to $110 in 2024, with some areas of Illinois seeing rates 46% higher than just two years prior. This annual adjustment helps ensure hotels are fairly reimbursed while keeping Illinois competitive for government, business, and event-related travel.
Strengthening Workplace Safety for Hotel Employees
Through IHLA’s advocacy, the Illinois Innkeepers Protection Act was amended to allow hotels to eject guests who are verbally abusive to employees. This critical update ensures hotel operators have the tools to maintain safe and respectful environments for both staff and guests. By prioritizing employee safety and setting clear expectations for guest behavior, IHLA continues to champion workplace protections that benefit hospitality workers.
Creating Fairness with Online Travel Agencies
IHLA successfully advocated for legislation requiring online travel agencies to collect hotel tax on their commissions. Before this change, OTAs remitted taxes only on the wholesale rate rather than the full retail rate charged to consumers. That created an uneven playing field for hotels and reduced revenue available for tourism promotion. The Illinois Department of Revenue estimates this change will generate $30 million in additional hotel tax revenue annually; funding that supports tourism marketing and visitor promotion.
Advancing Sustainability Without Unnecessary Burdens
IHLA worked closely with lawmakers on legislation rquiring hotels to transition from single-use toiletries to bulk dispensers. By engaging directly with the bill sponsor, IHLA helped ensure the final law aligned with existing brand standards and avoided unnecessary operational burdens on hotels. This outcome reflects IHLA’s approach to advocacy: supporting responsible policy goals while making sure new laws are practical, workable, and fair for the hotel industry.
Advocacy with the power of 500+ members
Whether in Springfield, Chicago, or Washington, D.C., IHLA is committed to making sure the hotel industry has a strong voice at every level of government. Our work protects members, strengthens Illinois tourism, supports hospitality jobs, and helps ensure hotels can continue serving guests and communities across the entire state.