In March 2015, the IRA joined IHLA, ICCVB, and AAHOA for our Springfield Lobby Day. The events included a dinner with legislators and a full day of educational activities and lobbying efforts in the Capitol Building the following afternoon. Lobby Day concluded with a legislative reception with nearly half of the General Assembly and Governor Bruce Rauner in attendance.

Lobby Day began with a speaker program and a legislative update session. House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Senate President John Cullerton, and Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism Cory Jobe addressed budget issues and growing Illinois' tourism industry with a crowd of over 120 members of the restaurant, hospitality, and tourism industry.

Throughout the day, the IRA met with influential leaders in both legislative chambers, including House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, Assistant Majority Leader Sara Feigenholtz, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Senate President Pro Tempore Don Harmon, and Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti.

The central issues discussed included: the need for a uniform minimum wage throughout Illinois, modernizing happy hour laws, maintaining tourism funding, and the state budget.

The IRA's Springfield delegation was one of the largest in recent years. Thank you to all who attended.