A tourism office in Southern Illinois has reopened two years after it was shut down by state budget cuts. The Rend Lake South Tourism Information Center will operate every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Staff will help visitors with travel information, hotel reservations and other services to boost tourism.The state's economic development agency estimates the center will provide a $2.9 million boost to the local economy. Money to run the center comes from a state hotel tax.This makes the 11th tourism center to reopen.
Illinois had a record number of visitors in 2011, with more than 93 million tourists. The state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said the state saw an 8.4 percent bump last year, bringing in over $31 billion for the state economy.
On July 17th, Marshall County will settle an issue that has divided the area for months, whether or not to allow the purchase of alcohol within county lines.
