International Visitors to Illinois Rose 11.8 Percent to a Record in 2012; Tourism Generated $33.5 Billion for State's Economy Last Year

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that Illinois has set an all-time record for tourism, breaking the 100 million visitor mark in 2012. International visitors rose 11.8 percent last year to set another new record and push the total to 101 million. Tourism in Illinois generated an estimated $33.5 billion and 298,700 jobs for the state's economy, also new high marks for the state.

The record tourism numbers reflect Governor Quinn's targeted efforts to showcase Illinois as a travel destination. In the past two years, Illinois has launched a new tourism marketing campaign; promoted Illinois tourism on trade missions to Canada, China, Mexico and Brazil; and worked closely with local convention and visitors bureaus across Illinois to trumpet the unique attributes of their regions.

"Our world-class destinations continue to attract more domestic and international visitors to Illinois each year, and this means jobs and economic growth for our state," Governor Quinn said. "These record-breaking numbers show that the economic engine of tourism in Illinois is firing on all cylinders."

Total international arrivals in Illinois hit 2,082,200 in 2012, a new record and an 11.8 percent increase over 2011. The news follows this summer's announcement that Illinois hosted more than 99 million domestic visitors in 2012, a 6.1 percent increase over the record 93.3 million U.S. residents who visited Illinois in 2011.

This also marks the second year in a row that Illinois' visitor numbers broke records and outpaced the national average of 5.4 percent, highlighting the industry's vital contributions to Illinois' economic growth, job creation and tax revenue.

Overseas arrivals reached 1,399,000 last year, up 11.4 percent, and visitors from Canada increased 9.9 percent in 2012. Domestic and international travelers directly spent $33.5 billion in Illinois in 2012, up 5.7 percent from 2011. U.S. travelers' expenditures grew 5 percent while international travelers' expenditures increased 14.4 percent. These travel related expenditures generated 298,700 jobs, including full-time and seasonal part-time positions in the state. This reflects a 2.3 percent increase and 6,700 new jobs.

Increasing tourism and its resulting economic impact are part of Governor Quinn's agenda to create jobs and drive Illinois' economy forward.

"These impressive numbers demonstrate the vital role the tourism industry plays in the state's economy," Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Adam Pollet said. "The double-digit increase of international visitors to Illinois has directly benefited our state by generating tax revenue and creating additional high-quality jobs for people across Illinois."

"The visitor increases in 2012 illustrate Illinois' appeal as a premier travel destination for both leisure and business travelers," Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Office of Tourism Jen Heolzle said. "We're driving additional growth in international markets by continuing to develop innovative ways to share unique stories and opportunities for visitors and potential visitors to discover all that the state offers."

The Illinois Office of Tourism (IOT) directly supports the travel industry by promoting visitor travel both domestically and internationally, to help grow the tourism industry throughout the state. IOT is funded by a percentage of the state's hotel and motel tax revenue.

Destination information, trip inspiration ideas, the 2013 Illinois Travel Guide and more can be found at enjoyillinois.com or by calling 1-800-2CONNECT.

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OMAHA, NE (09/05/2013)(readMedia)-- Students from your area are attending Creighton University along with more than 960 other freshmen this fall. They are part of a freshman class that is academically strong, diverse and engaged in community and service activities.

The academic profile of the 2013 freshman class places Creighton among the top 10 private universities in the Midwest with more than 4,000 undergraduates and among the top 50 national private Catholic universities.

The list of students from your area:

Allison Hanser of Davenport, IA, a Davenport Assumption Catholic High School graduate entering the College of Arts & Sciences

McKenna Pearson of Sterling, IL, a Sterling High School graduate entering the College of Arts & Sciences

Ryan Cruise of Bettendorf, IA, a Bettendorf High School graduate entering the College of Arts & Sciences

Brandon Krantz of Moline, IL, a Moline Senior High School graduate entering the College of Business

Thomas Bush of Davenport, IA, a Davenport Assumption Catholic High School graduate entering the College of Business

About Creighton University: Creighton University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution located in Omaha, Neb., enrolls more than 4,000 undergraduate and 3,500 professional school and graduate students. No other university its size offers students such a comprehensive academic environment coupled with personal attention from faculty-mentors.With nine colleges and schools on the same campus, Creighton affords incomparable interdisciplinary learning and unique opportunities for collaborative research among arts and sciences, business, health sciences and law. Creighton has been a top-ranked Midwestern regional university in the college edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine for more than 20 years. For more information, visit our website at: www.creighton.edu.

American Cancer Society plans unique fundraiser for dogs, owners

Davenport, Iowa) - The fight against cancer has gone to the dogs as the American Cancer Society's Bark For Life event takes place this September. Area pooches, with owners in tow, will take to the track to dig up a cure for cancer. Bark For Life adds a twist to the Society's traditional Relay For Life event, serving as a fundraising activity to honor the care-giving qualities of canine companions while supporting the mission of the American Cancer Society.

This noncompetitive walk is planned for September 14, 2013 at Centennial Park, Davenport Iowa and will include an opening ceremony at 9:00am.  Our Honorary Dog K-9 Deker will lead our first lap followed by best dressed contests, vender booths and demos.

"Many pet owners consider their dogs a part of their family, especially those furry friends who lend a great amount of comfort and support during a loved one's cancer battle," said Mary Schenck. "Bark For Life is the canine counterpart to Relay For Life, a very family friendly movement that celebrates our canine caregivers, just as we honor other family members who support their loved ones who are fighting cancer during Relay For Life."

Event organizers are still recruiting dogs and their owners to take part in this year's Bark For Life. To register, contact Mary at 563-503-0068 or visit www.RelayForLife.org/BarkScottCountyIA.

A special thanks to the generosity of our 2013 presenting sponsors FOX 18 and Nestle' Purina as well as the community support for this year's event. Funds raised through Bark For Life support the American Cancer Society's comprehensive cancer-fighting mission to help people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, to help people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis, to find cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery, and to fight back against cancer by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end cancer for good. As a global grassroots force of three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping you stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early, helping you get well by being there for you during and after a diagnosis, by finding cures through groundbreaking discovery and fighting back through public policy. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.8 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, an estimated 13.7 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Mount Carroll--The M A Brass Ensemble will perform a benefit concert for Timber Lake Playhouse (TLP) on Saturday, September 21 at the theater in Mount Carroll. TLP has been a cultural cornerstone of Northwestern Illinois for 52 summers, and both the Playhouse and the Brass ensemble are excited about this first joint venture. The one-night-only concert event will begin at 7:00 pm at TLP. General admission is $15 at the door. Large groups may purchase in advance at 815-244-2035.

M A Brass includes Aaron White, Jon James and Elizabeth Judd of Sterling, Mark Dempsey of Dixon and Mark Bressler of Mount Carroll. The regionally renowned musicians will perform an evening of American standards. Mr. White said, "M A Brass would like to thank Timber Lake Playhouse for helping us bring live music to people everywhere."

TLP Executive Director James Beaudry added, "Music is such an integral part of what we do, and we're proud to employ professional musicians for all of our musicals at TLP. When we were approached by the ensemble about a concert, we were thrilled to be a part of it."

Later this fall, TLP will present the 3rd annual interactive presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Saturday, October 26 at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling 815-244-2035 or at www.timberlakeplayhouse.org. Interactive prop bags may be purchased for $10 each.

Timber Lake Playhouse is located at 8215 Black Oak Road in rural Mount Carroll, IL.

About M A Brass:

Aaron White, 1st Trumpet Aaron lives in Sterling, Illinois with his wife Dawn, and three children Jessica (10), Caylee (3), and Logan (1).  Aaron holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Northern Illinois University and holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.  Currently, Aaron works for Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Sterling as a truck loader.  Aaron performs with Sterling Municipal Band, Rock River Jazz Band, as well as M A Brass.

Jon James, 2nd Trumpet  Jon James graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Music Education in 1992.  He is currently the Band Director for Polo Schools and is the Director of the Sterling Municipal Band.  Jon resides in Sterling, Illinois with his wife Cathy.  Jon performs and directs the Rock River Jazz Band, and he performs with Dixon Municipal Band, as well as M A Brass.

Elizabeth Judd, French Horn  Elizabeth lives in Sterling, Illinois with her husband Paul.  Elizabeth is the Band and Chorus Director at Rock Falls High School.  She performs with Sterling Municipal Band, as well as M A Brass.

Mark Dempsey, Trombone  Mark lives in Dixon, Illinois with his wife Jessica, a part-time teller for Midland States Bank.  Mark works as a machine operator at Rayovac in Dixon.  Mark performs with the Sterling Municipal Band, the Rock River Jazz Band, as well as M A Brass.  Mark and Jessica are expecting their first child in July.

Mark Bressler, Tuba  Mark lives in Mt. Carroll, Illinois with his wife Emily and his two boys Wilson (5), and J.T. (4).  Mark is the director of the Sauk Valley College Concert Band as well as the Dixon Municipal Band.  He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing his Master's Degree from Western, Illinois University.  Mark performs with Sterling Municipal Band, Rock River Jazz Band, as well as M A Brass.