Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Name	Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
Abbreviation	IHLA
Founded	1917
Type	Trade association
Headquarters	Chicago, Illinois
Region served	Illinois
Membership	Hotels, motels, resorts, inns
Leader title	President & CEO

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association is a statewide trade organization representing lodging properties across Illinois, including urban, suburban, and rural establishments. The association engages with regulatory bodies, hospitality brands, and tourism authorities to influence legislation and industry standards in Chicago, Springfield, and other municipalities. It collaborates with national and regional organizations to support workforce development, safety, and economic contributions of lodging to metropolitan areas and tourist destinations.

History

Founded in 1917 during an era when rail travel intersected with growth in hospitality, the association developed alongside entities such as the Chicago Transit Authority, Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Union Station (Chicago), Illinois Central Railroad, and the rise of O'Hare International Airport. Through the Prohibition era and the Great Depression the association interacted with institutions like the Illinois State Legislature, Cook County Board of Commissioners, New Deal, Works Progress Administration, and advocacy groups influencing lodging regulation. Post‑World War II expansion saw partnerships and tensions with brands including Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, and regulatory shifts tied to cases brought before the United States Congress and the United States Department of Labor.

During the late 20th century the association navigated policy debates involving the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, labor disputes similar to those represented by the Service Employees International Union, and market changes driven by companies such as Airbnb and Expedia Group. Recent decades witnessed collaboration with state agencies like the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and national groups such as the American Hotel & Lodging Association and the U.S. Travel Association.

Mission and Advocacy

The association's mission centers on promoting lodging interests before the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor of Illinois, county boards such as Cook County Board of Commissioners, and municipal councils in cities like Chicago, Peoria, Illinois, and Rockford, Illinois. Advocacy often intersects with legislation concerning taxes, zoning, public safety standards enforced by bodies like the Illinois Department of Public Health, and workforce rules referenced in actions by the National Labor Relations Board and the United States Department of Justice. It partners with trade groups including the National Restaurant Association, National Federation of Independent Business, and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association to promote regulatory outcomes affecting lodging and tourism.

Membership and Structure

Membership comprises independent inns, branded properties affiliated with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, InterContinental Hotels Group, Choice Hotels International, boutique operators, and management companies. The governance structure typically involves a board of directors, executive committees, and regional councils representing markets such as Champaign–Urbana, Quad Cities, Bloomington–Normal, and the Metro East (Illinois–Missouri). Committees coordinate with stakeholders like the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association PAC, local chambers of commerce such as the Chicago Chamber of Commerce, and higher education partners like DePaul University and Northern Illinois University for workforce pipelines.

Programs and Services

Programs include compliance guidance on statutes such as the Illinois Human Rights Act and training aligned with standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and best practices disseminated alongside sources like AAA (American Automobile Association). Services extend to group purchasing cooperatives, insurance programs similar to offerings from Marsh & McLennan Companies, and data resources comparable to research published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The association also administers advocacy toolkits for local elections and policy campaigns related to tax policy debated in venues like the Illinois Comptroller's office.

Events and Education

The association organizes conferences, trade shows, and certification courses often hosted in partnership with venues in Chicago Loop, university conference centers at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and convention facilities such as the McCormick Place. Educational offerings include seminars on revenue management inspired by analysis used by STR, Inc., hospitality management curricula linked to programs at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and regional community colleges, and workforce initiatives that align with statewide job training programs administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Annual gatherings attract vendors from associations like Meeting Professionals International and speakers from corporate chains including Choice Hotels and Accor.

Industry Impact and Economic Role

The association quantifies lodging's contribution to state and local tax receipts, employment figures tracked by the Illinois Department of Labor, and tourism metrics compiled by the Illinois Office of Tourism. Its work affects major events that drive occupancy — conventions at McCormick Place, festivals such as the Chicago Jazz Festival, and sporting events tied to franchises like the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. By influencing policy on hotel taxation, workforce development, and public safety, the association intersects with economic development programs from entities like the Illinois Office of the Governor and federal initiatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce to sustain lodging's role in metropolitan and regional economies.

Category:Trade associations based in Illinois Category:Hospitality industry organizations