<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0zdDVV_1EZUPmxQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0zdDVV_1EZUPmxQ00" width="1200" height="630" >SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sangamon County leaders are exploring a path to expand the Bank of Springfield Center in Downtown Springfield. According to the county, the plan will include a countywide 3% hotel-motel tax dedicated to the project. The Illinois Hotel &amp; Lodging Association (IHLA) released the following statement regarding efforts to raise hotel taxes in the county to finance the expansion:<blockquote>"Hotel operators support sustainable efforts to bring more visitors to Springfield, but raising hotel taxes will put our community at a competitive disadvantage. If approved, this increase would bring Springfield’s total hotel tax to 17% – the second highest in the state behind Chicago,” said IHLA Vice President of Government Relations and Member Engagement Keenan Irish."Why would event organizers choose Springfield when they can get better prices in Peoria, Bloomington-Normal, Rockford or the Quad Cities? Meanwhile, the county’s own feasibility study found that increasing the hotel tax will not generate enough revenue to cover the cost of the convention center expansion. This is simply the wrong approach. We urge officials to table this proposal and work with Springfield’s hotel industry to craft a more balanced plan that will grow tourism, attract and revitalize downtown," Irish continued. </blockquote>Current plans feature a 30- to 40,000-square-foot master ballroom that would allow the BOS Center to host larger conventions and events. County leaders said moving forward with the plan now would protect residents from higher construction costs. "Every additional convention or event at the BOS Center represents new customers walking through the doors of downtown restaurants, shops, hotels and businesses. Expanding the Center gives Springfield the ability to bring larger events and more people downtown on a regular basis. That kind of activity is important to the continued growth and vitality of downtown Springfield," said Downtown Springfield, Inc. Executive Director Jay Shanle in a statement. The Sangamon County Board is expected to consider the tax proposal at its Tuesday meeting. </div></body>

Block Source: WAND TV

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sangamon County leaders are exploring a path to expand the Bank of Springfield Center in Downtown Springfield. According to the county, the plan will include a countywide 3% hotel-motel tax dedicated to the project. The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) released the following statement regarding...

Sangamon County leaders propose path forward for BOS Center expansion

NewsBreak

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Sangamon County leaders are exploring a path to expand the Bank of Springfield Center in Downtown Springfield. According to the 

Sangamon County leaders propose path forward for BOS Center expansion

Comments / 1