The convention and tourism industry is a multi-billion dollar business in Chicago, but the people that earn their living off that business are worried about what happened last weekend and the impact it could have on business moving forward.Industry leaders say people need to feel safe coming into the city, and they are pushing police and incoming Mayor Brandon Johnson to put together a better game plan.
"Locked the doors. We have security here, so we shut it down. We didn't let anybody in or out," Gallios said. "We feel like that doesn't bode well for the summer," said Gallios. "And gets me worrying. We thought things were on the up and up. And something like this happens you feel knocked right back down a little bit."Hotels, bars, and restaurants that depend on tourism and conventions to make or break their business say what happened last weekend can't happen again.
The Chicago Loop Alliance is reviving its Ambassador Program, in which unarmed ambassadors in uniform will patrol streets in the Loop, go into stores and attempt to identify and de-escalate situations that could lead to trouble."This is not an everyday experience," said Kiana Distasi, marketing director for the Chicago Loop Alliance. "But we take these incidents very seriously.
BJ, the only way to fix the problem Downtown is to tax the people that are patronizing these establishments even more, with the additional revenue we can put in place programs that will keep the kids safe, it's a small price to pay for these tourists to enjoy the wonderful city.
Just closed
Chaos aka..FERAL Black people ..
The city doesn't give a fuck.
The new mayor is handling it
Those Maga teens again i blame Trump
Too bad all the kids going into the city on the weekend are under 21.
Thank a Democrat for helping to destroy Chicago
What concerns? The gathering of youths happen in every city. Is Chicago dangerous? “NO”. Is there social unrest? “YES” These events won’t effect tourism and businesses will not leave. Are property values rising in Chicago? “YES” This is a part of the problem
I blame Republicans. It's somehow always their fault.
Breaking News! 🤣
It should be a concern. I used to go downtown most Fridays for drinks. Now you can forget about that.
Elect clowns and you get a clown show.
Hugs over thugs.
When a “News” Organization blantly lies about our Democratic Presidential Elections, we can’t expect much from everyone else!
LOL you voted for let’s go Brandon
Democrats have wrecked Chicago & there is no coming back from this 🤷♂️ The city is going to become like a Detroit/Cleveland
Tourism industry?🤦♀️🤦♀️😂😂
Take away parents government benefits. It'll end swiftly.
I would not spend one dime in Chitown
Let’s Go Brandon!
Chicago needs “riot & looting” tours in an armored-up bus.
The Detroitification of Chicago continues unabated!
We're totally screwed. Paul Vallas was our last hope. Brandon Johnson will be the end of us. We are nearly Detroit. The Loop is over. Watch out River North, Lincoln Park and Lakeview, they're coming to destroy you next.
Being able to ride on top of CTA buses could be a good draw to the city bet a lot of people would love that
this past weekends mayhem has already negatively impacted tourism
Really Well what a shocker. Gov sponsored racial attacks and property destruction would cause that? Who knew.
This wouldn’t happen if they were all on a vegan diet like in New York City!
They should leave now. I know 9 couples who put high end condos up for sale in city, moving business’s or transferring out of state.
It’s not rocket science-if people do not feel safe-THEY WILL NOT COME TO SPEND THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY, how damn hard is that to understand?!?
You kinda get what you vote for. 'The People' voted for an alternative law plan instead of restoring the police numbers. You can't vote for this, then complain you got it. 🤷
No kidding. They better get used to it. It’s our new reality.
gingertealkp You could not pay me to go to Chi City. We were going to take the train to Chicago to then catch an international flight but NO WAY.
Elections have consequences
it should create serious concerns for the incoming mayor b/c crime scares away the people who pay the bills (taxpayers). doesn't matter if those taxpayers are tourists or current residents - they can leave. Ask Detroit.......
...they'll be fine...take 1,000,000.
And in other obvious news . . . . .
'Blame Game' & Marc Sims The Ben Joravsky Show Dozens of teenagers rampage in the Loop. Ben riffs. And podcaster Marc Sims does some riffing of his own on the same topic. Is anyone to blame? Should parents be punished for the misdeeds of their teens?
When will the black youth realize we need businesses for employment and commerce. They are literally biting the hand that feeds us. Eco101
Coincidentally, gun sales in nearby suburbs surged Sunday and Monday.
And helped bring about the chaos by supporting soros candidates
As it should. Dont worry 200 detectives and social workers are coming!
Detroit was once a thriving metropolitan too. Expect things to get much worse
Lightfoot after reading this article
chicagobars
Democrat politicians
Yeah. No shit Sherlock. Media is the enemy of the people.
And it's not even summer yet.
Chicago politcians are the cities own worst enemies
Chicago is a shithole
What did you expect after voting for it for decades?
Miller's pub is wonderful. I hate to see them suffer because of this chaos.
Street thuggies are wanting to cause mayhem and more has to be done
“Thought Chicago was heading on the up and up”!!! Don’t worry the unarmed Ambassadors are on the way!
Yep! Lock up and head out. Chicago is over. Marxism is taking over now. Enjoy it or leave.