PRESS
Welcome to the online media centre. We’re glad you’re visiting our site and hope you’ll soon encourage your audiences to visit our state. That’s why we’re here – to assist you while you research, write and/or produce the best piece possible.
Illinois has something for everyone: world-class shopping, historic sites and indoor and outdoor adventures. It’s a geographically, historically and culturally diverse state. Here you will find all the latest news and media resources from the State of Illinois.
FAMILIARIZATION TOURS
The Illinois team is available to provide background, interview opportunities, calendar of events and statistics or to connect you with other PR representatives of hotels and attractions. Due to limited staff and budget constraints, the amount of assistance provided will be determined on an individual basis.
Are you looking for filming permits for broadcasting media? We request you get in touch directly with the Chicago Film Office Chicago Film Office and for location suggestions Illinois Film Office.
If you are a travel writer who requests itinerary development assistance and/or assistance arranging hotel accommodations, please read through the following media guidelines so we can assist you in the most efficient way:
MEDIA VISIT GUIDELINES:
  • We require that you submit a letter of assignment from your editor on the publication’s letterhead. If you are a freelancer, please add at least two recently published travel-related articles (print media) or a copy of demo reel (broadcast media).
  • For individual journalists, please complete media request form at least three weeks prior to your desired arrival date. For groups of three or more, please allow at least four weeks prior to your desired arrival date.
  • At the time of initial contact, we require a complete list of names and media outlets of those participating.
Please email completed Media Visit Request Form letter of assignment and samples to:
PLEASE NOTE:
  • Please understand our primary goal is to assist working travel media. Host locations are not always able to accommodate spouses, children and companions accompanying working press.
  • The Illinois team cannot pay for hotel accommodations, but where appropriate, can liaise with its hotel members to try and secure a media rate or, occasionally, complimentary accommodations. Since the final decision is made by the hotel partners, we cannot guarantee accommodation.
  • The Illinois team cannot pay for transportation to Chicago or private ground transport once you are here. Choose Chicago can provide CTA passes for use in Chicago. We recommend you check out our transportation page for economical options for other transportation needs.
  • Please do not purchase your airline tickets until hotel accommodations have been confirmed.
PR CONTACTS
ILLINOIS OFFICE OF TOURISM
(Leisure Tourism)
Elisa Marcus,
International Marketing Manager elisa.marcus@illinois.gov
Brad Strauss, Domestic Public Relations Manager brad.strauss@illinois.gov
Fleishman-Hillard
Kate Murphy (United States) kate.murphy@fleishman.com
Megan Stoudt (Canada) megan.stoudt@fleishman.ca
Fleishman-Hillard (Germany) discoverillinois
@fleishmaneurope.com
Rachel Bowden (UK) rachel.bowden
@fleishmaneurope.com
CHOOSE CHICAGO
Meghan Risch, Director, Public Relations mrisch@choosechicago.com
Kara Carmichael (Europe, Asia, Central and South America)
 kcarmichael
@choosechicago.com
Melissa McCarville (Canada) mmccarville
@choosechicago.com