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LaSalle County tourism committee approves $59,410 in bills, reviews 19 funding requests amid federal funding freeze
Summary
The LaSalle County Tourism Committee approved $59,410 in bills and reviewed 19 funding requests totaling roughly $99,400 while hearing that federal Heritage Area reimbursements remain frozen, creating cash-flow pressure for local heritage programming.
The LaSalle County Tourism Committee on Feb. 21 approved $59,410 in bills and discussed a large slate of travel- and marketing-related funding requests as staff warned that federal Heritage Area reimbursements are frozen.
Committee members voted to approve the January minutes (motion by Kathy; second by Bill) and later approved bills totaling $59,410. The bills listed at the meeting included $27,000 for the Illinois Bridal Guide; $20,000 for the Heritage/Route 66 and Canal guide; $1,075 for “Looking for Lincoln”; $19,700 for a CTM distribution contract; and $5,135 for rack/rec cards. The motion to approve the bills was moved by Doug and seconded by Ally; the chair called for the ayes and declared the motion carried.
Committee members spent most of the conversation on 19 upcoming funding requests that staff said total nearly $99,400. The packet of requests contains a mix of “bundles” (rack cards, billboards and social media) and a few other items. Staff said three requests came from the I&M Canal effort and that most requests are for bundled marketing services.
Members were told the LaSalle County Heritage Area’s federal reimbursements through the National Park Service Heritage Area Program have been frozen since the start of the federal fiscal year on Oct. 1. The freeze has prevented the Heritage Area from receiving reimbursements for expenses that are normally submitted after the fact, which staff said has strained short-term cash flow; staff said reimbursements are normally made after the grantee submits bills. The committee heard that some seasonal staffing and payroll arrangements have been affected while the Heritage Area waits for federal action, and that the Heritage Area typically receives federal funds reimbursably rather than as an up-front operating allotment.
Committee members discussed possible next steps and local workarounds. A committee member urged colleagues and interested residents to contact federal representatives to emphasize the local importance of the Heritage Area funding; the members named Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Mike Bose, Mary Miller and Darren LaHood in that context.
The committee did not take a formal vote on the 19 funding requests at the Feb. 21 meeting; staff said the full packet was provided early so committee members could review and return with questions or decisions at the next meeting. Staff noted that the committee received a state grant that can be used to cover some expenses this year and that the committee’s budget could absorb part of the requests, but that the full scope of requests would exceed the amount currently budgeted for the fiscal year.
Several members emphasized that the upcoming tourism season — including boat season and other events — typically brings a wave of revenue, and staff reported roughly $70,000 in tours already prebooked for the season. The committee asked staff to continue reviewing the packet and to present funding decisions at the next regular meeting.
