Gov. J.B. Pritzker announces a new campaign to encourage travel and tourism in Illinois on Wednesday, May 12. (WTTW News via Governor’s Press Office)
With Gov. J.B. Pritzker poised to ease rules designed to stop the spread of COVID-19, officials on Wednesday unveiled a new campaign designed to encourage travel and vacations, set to the soundtrack of a repurposed breakup anthem from Illinois’ own REO Speedwagon.
The $6 million Enjoy Illinois campaign rewrites “Time for Me to Fly” as “Time for Me to Drive” to highlight Illinois’ seven national scenic byways and highways in an effort to encourage travelers to celebrate the apparent waning of the pandemic with a road trip designed by the state’s tourism office.
After a difficult year where the pandemic kept us close to home and staying apart, lifesaving vaccines are bringing us back to life and heading toward a summer of fun and venturing out.
So today, I’m excited to launch a new @enjoyillinois campaign: Time for Me to Drive. pic.twitter.com/86Yi7kcgxF
— Governor JB Pritzker (@GovPritzker) May 12, 2021
The effort will target residents of Illinois’ border states, seeking to capitalize on what officials said was an increasing desire from those weary of the pandemic to travel by car, officials said.
However, Chicago’s travel order currently requires visitors from both Michigan and Indiana to record a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours or quarantine for 10 days unless they are fully vaccinated.
The state is set to move into the next phase of its reopening plan Friday, with declining case counts and hospitalizations allowing officials to permit additional capacity in restaurants, shops and event venues.
In addition, museums, amusement parks and zoos could operate at 60% of their normal capacity, an increase from 25%, according to the guidelines.
If that progress continues, the state could fully reopen on June 11, according to state officials.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
