Illinois Office of Tourism Adds 40 New Makers to Illinois Made Program

CHICAGO – Illinois Office of Tourism is excited to announce the latest makers to join the Illinois Made program. From craft brewers, distilleries and vineyards to artisan chocolate shops, bakeries and coffee roasters, these 40 small businesses are a key component to driving visitors to Illinois.

“We know today’s travelers crave authentic experiences they can’t find anywhere else and that is what Illinois Made is all about,” said Cory Jobe, director of the Illinois Office of Tourism.  “This latest group of artisans, creators and small businesses will only add to the success of Illinois Made and will continue driving tourism to our state.”

Research shows the Illinois Made advertising campaign had a direct impact on tourism, generating nearly 21,000 hotel bookings and $7.5 million in tourism spending, from March 1 to July 31, 2017. In fact, every dollar invested in the Illinois Made campaign returned $18.25 in state tax revenue, helping grow Illinois’ economy.

Launched last summer, Illinois Made spotlights the people, products and experiences unique to Illinois and inspires travelers to explore off the beaten path destinations around the state.

• To learn more about the latest makers go to EnjoyIllinois.com/IllinoisMade
• To download photos click here
• To submit a business to be included in Illinois Made click here

Latest makers to join the Illinois Made program:

Chicago

Vice District Brewing, South Loop

Café Tola, Lakeview

Forbidden Root, Ukrainian Village

Ipsento Coffee, Bucktown

Piece Brewery & Pizza, Wicker Park

Katherine Anne Confections, Logan Square

KOVAL Distillery, Ravenswood

Chicago Suburbs

All Chocolate Kitchen, Geneva

Tighthead Brewing Company, Mundelein

Copper Fiddle Distillery, Lake Zurich

North Shore Distillery, Libertyville

North Shore/Evanston

Hewn Bakery, Evanston

Few Spirits, Evanston

Chicago Southland/Bourbonnais

Frankfort Spirits, Frankfort

Homewood Bat, Homewood

Lotton Art Glass, Crete

Brickstone Brewery, Bourbonnais

Northwest Illinois/Rockford

Anderson’s Candy Shop, Richmond

Whiskey Acres, DeKalb

Jonamac Orchard, Malta

Ethereal Confectionary, Woodstock

Starved Rock Country

Tangled Roots Brewing Co., Ottawa

Illinois Sparkling Co., Utica

Champaign-Urbana/Bloomington-Normal

Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass & Champaign

Great Pumpkin Patch, Arthur

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, Tuscola

Ropp Farm, Normal

Kilgus Farmstead, Fairbury

Prairie Fire Glass, Monticello

Sleep Creek Vineyards, Fairmount

Springfield

Maldaner’s, Springfield

Pease’s Candy, Springfield

Cocoa Blue Chocolates, Rochester & Springfield

Sangamon Reclaimed, Springfield

Danenberger Family Vineyards, New Berlin

Peoria/Quincy

J.K. Williams Distilling Co., Peoria

thirty-thirty Coffee Co., Peoria

Nauvoo Mill & Bakery, Nauvoo

Southern Illinois

Dinger Bats, Ridgway

St. Nicholas Brewing, Du Quoin

Alto Vineyards, Alto Pass

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The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.