AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Hospitality Leadership: Choose Chicago named Meryl Press Vissel as its new vice president of communications and content, bringing experience from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Family-Friendly Illinois Event: Argyle Lake State Park hosts the inaugural Forgottonia Fling Highland Games Sept. 4-5, with free public demos and traditional competition. Local Travel Safety Watch: O’Hare International Airport is dealing with a third runway tire blowout emergency in four days, following recent American and United incidents. Illinois Flood Update: Flooding in Gibson City/Paxton/Fisher eased quickly with minimal damage, though some yards and fields still had standing water. Champaign-Urbana Visitor Angle: A Champaign-Urbana campus columnist highlights two memorial stops for newcomers, including a Gregory-era memorial boulder near Altgeld Hall. Practical Planning for Travelers: Apple Wallet digital driver’s licenses/state IDs are expanding, with Illinois already supported and more states rolling out. Real Estate for Vacation Home Owners: A guide explains how Illinois Series LLCs can help separate liability across properties—useful for investors with multiple rentals.

Air Travel Deals: American Airlines topped a new report for best domestic flight deals, citing its sheer flight volume and seat capacity—good news for Illinois travelers planning trips. Lodging & City Breaks: Staypineapple Chicago was named the No. 4 best boutique hotel in the U.S. by USA Today’s 10Best readers, spotlighting its playful style inside the historic Reliance Building. Airport Experience & Rights: A Southwest Airlines lawsuit alleges racial discrimination at Portland International Airport involving a family traveling with a firearm, raising fresh questions about how airlines handle security and boarding. Road-Trip Costs (Illinois fuel snapshot): GasBuddy’s week ending Aug. 8 showed diesel and gas price variation across the region, with Illinois diesel averaging $5.29 per gallon statewide. Outdoor Travel: A longtime Ely canoe outfitter, Williams and Hall Outfitters, is seeking to sell after wildfire-impacted summer conditions—an update for Boundary Waters travelers. Safety on the Road: A Cary woman faces charges after an alleged drunk-driving crash in Algonquin that sent a motorcyclist to the hospital.

School-Bus Safety Push: Joliet police are reminding drivers to obey stop-arm laws and give buses extra space as students head back, noting most injuries happen within 10 feet when kids board or get off. Hotel Security Concern: A woman says she got multiple calls to her room and a knock from “reception,” but staff claimed nothing was logged—an issue that hits hard for solo travelers. Chicago Travel Mood: A Time Out survey found Chicago ranks among the world’s “most beautiful” cities, with 77% of locals saying it’s beautiful. Airline Route Watch: Allegiant plans nine new U.S. routes in Feb. 2027, including a year-round Cincinnati–Orlando link, plus several spring-break “hyper-seasonal” services. Local Events & Stays: JLA Hospitality rolled out new Nomad Home® coverlets and bed scarves for hotels and vacation rentals. Culture & Tourism Tie-In: “Soul Train” premiered in Chicago on Aug. 17, 1970—another reminder of the city’s entertainment legacy.

Chicago Air & Water Show: Despite a second weather delay, huge crowds still showed up at North Avenue Beach to watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and enjoy military recruiting and local vendors. Baseball (Cubs/White Sox): The Crosstown Come-Up returns Monday with both teams playing well, while Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson faces a likely oblique injury that could sideline him for the rest of the regular season; meanwhile the White Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Tigers 7-5 with a go-ahead homer from Munetaka Murakami. Field of Dreams (Illinois player): Brother Rice’s Brady Cunningham made the trip to Dyersville, Iowa, for the High School All-American Game and soaked up the famous stadium atmosphere. Illinois Extension (St. Charles): University of Illinois Extension will host a free community day at the Kane County Idea Garden on Aug. 30 with hands-on activities for all ages. Travel logistics (Joliet): Joliet plans to close Clinton Street Monday for crane access, a heads-up for anyone driving through the area.

Local Travel & Tourism: A longtime sailor has donated his beloved boat to the Green Lake Sailing School, keeping decades of summer sailing on Big Green Lake alive for new students. Family-Friendly Community: A Chicago daycare owner scored a “blessing” by grabbing discarded school supplies from a dumpster outside Carlos Fuentes Elementary, turning leftovers into classroom materials for her new program. Outdoor & Nature: Tree Check Month is urging Illinois residents to inspect trees for the invasive Asian longhorned beetle before it spreads, with tips on what to look for in yards and public parks. Public Health & Travel Safety: Bedbug infestations are rising, and experts warn they can be harder to spot than people think—especially when traveling and bringing items home. Environment & Parks: Residents are pushing for better tracking after research found pesticides drifting onto Illinois schools and parks, raising concerns for families and outdoor visitors. Sports Tourism: Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made MLB history with three homers in his first three at-bats at Wrigley Field, a feel-good moment for Chicago-area baseball fans. Illinois Events: Jeep Creep for St. Jude drew more than 100 vehicles across central Illinois, with organizers aiming to top last year’s fundraising totals.

NFL & Chicago-area travel: Browns QB Todd Monken praised Deshaun Watson’s return at Soldier Field after a 34-10 preseason loss to the Bears, highlighting how the veteran looked comfortable in the huddle and “had fun” while getting his feet wet. MLB at Wrigley Field: Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made history in Chicago with three homers in his MLB debut, powering an 8-4 win over the Cubs at rain-soaked Wrigley Field—an easy “sports trip” hook for visitors planning a stop in town. Illinois nature & outdoor plans: University of Illinois Extension announced birdwatching hike series at the Sue and Wes Dixon Waterfowl Refuge (Sept. 12 and Oct. 10) plus fall gardening webinars on overwintering tender perennials (Sept. 15) and urban tree advocacy (Oct. 20). Local fuel watch for road trips: GasBuddy reports show diesel and gas price snapshots across the Midwest, with Illinois-area drivers likely to keep checking prices before heading out. Aviation safety & flying: Reports of American Airlines flights with the same flight number narrowly avoiding disaster near Phoenix are a reminder to build in buffer time for travel.

NBA Schedule Shake-Up: The league’s 2026-27 release has some teams—especially the Celtics—facing brutal stretches of back-to-backs and travel, a reminder that “who you play” isn’t the only factor. Chicago Sports Tech: A Chicago startup’s NHL deal could let fans and investors trade on team performance using official stats, adding a new twist to game-day fandom. Travel & Costs in Chicago: With gas prices climbing again, some Chicagoans are rethinking how they get around, weighing routes, timing, and alternatives. Route 66 Photo Spot: Springfield just added a 25-foot neon Cozy Dog to the Illinois Route 66 Experience at the fairgrounds—free, year-round, and built for snapshots. Foodie Radar (Illinois): The New York Times named three Chicago Mexican restaurants among the best in the U.S., including Birrieria Ocotlan and Gorditas Santiago. Family Fun (Pixar): Pixar unveiled “Ghost Market” for spring 2028, featuring a Chicago teen whose Hawaii trip leads to a supernatural market. Local Tourism Leadership: Butch Spyridon is back in Louisiana tourism leadership, with hopes to help reshape the River Center. Community Relief: Chicago-area groups are collecting donations for earthquake victims in Colombia, with shipments set to head out soon.

Illinois Travel & Tourism Watch: Lincoln Airport hit its highest passenger numbers in 20 years, with 17,757 boardings in July, boosted by new Breeze and American routes plus strong United service—good news for fans planning game-day trips. Air Travel Tips: A guide to common Amtrak complaints flags delays and other frustrations to expect before you book. Family Travel Rules: Indian Prairie School District 204 removed “vacation” as an excused absence reason, a reminder that school calendars can affect trip planning. Outdoor Illinois: Southern Illinois gets a spotlight as an outdoor “playground,” pointing travelers toward more time outside. Food Safety & Travel: The FDA is traveling to Mexico to continue its cyclospora outbreak investigation tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, with traceback still pointing to shredded iceberg lettuce. Local Sports Schedule: Illinois State’s men’s golf team released its 2026-27 schedule, including tournaments across 10 states.

Road Safety (Chicago): Three people were hospitalized after a fiery crash on Chicago’s North DuSable Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast, when a blue sedan sideswiped another car, hit a median, and burst into flames; the driver of the other sedan declined medical attention. Travel Disruption (Illinois travelers): Cyclospora outbreak updates add Maine and Massachusetts to the list of states tied to the largest U.S. outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce, with Illinois among the earlier affected states—worth a reminder for anyone planning food stops. Local Sports Tourism (Normal): Illinois State men’s and women’s basketball released their 2026-27 nonconference schedules, including a big road trip opener for the men at Saint Mary’s and multiple in-state matchups for both teams. Gas Prices (National, affects Illinois road trips): The national regular gas average ticked back up to $4.07 after a week of declines, as crude oil stayed near the $80 range. Accessibility/Construction (Adair County, Illinois region): An ADA sidewalk improvement project is set to begin Aug. 17 with phased closures and one-lane traffic control while crews work. Food & Culture (Illinois State Fair): The fair’s Route 66 “Twilight Parade” plans include Route 66 named honorary grand marshal, plus a new bag policy for Grandstand events.

Stadium Drama: The Chicago Bears say their sole focus is building a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, after Illinois lawmakers failed to pass a deal for Arlington Heights—leaving the team’s Illinois future in limbo. Power & Travel Disruptions: Delmarva Power crews are heading to Illinois to help restore electricity after severe storms knocked out power for hundreds of thousands, with more bad weather possible. Big-Ticket Tourism Moment: A $1.04 billion Powerball winner was sold at a Quincy, Illinois convenience store, turning the small town into a “murder mystery” as residents wait for the jackpot holder to come forward. Baseball Destination Buzz: The Twins and Phillies meet at the Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa, with Netflix streaming and weather risk that could shift the matchup. Local Road Work: Downtown street improvements are set to begin next week in Kirksville, with overnight work and no-parking zones affecting key streets. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Illinois-area fuel pricing remains volatile, with multiple counties seeing notable lowest-price deals for E15, E85, midgrade, and premium. ComEd Outage Update: ComEd reported tens of thousands still without power in Chicago’s Southland suburbs after Tuesday storms, with restoration expected to continue into the weekend.

Illinois State Fair Route 66 update: The 2026 fair’s “Miles of Smiles” theme brings a Route 66-themed butter cow to the Dairy Building, unveiled with the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen; the fair runs Aug. 13–23. Grandstand bag rules: For Grandstand events, Illinois State Fairgoers must bring clear bags no larger than 14” x 8” (diaper/medical exceptions apply, but expect screening). Chicago neighborhood care: Hartwell Place is helping lead a Dementia-Friendly America push across Uptown, Andersonville, Rogers Park, and Edgewater, aiming to train “Dementia Friends.” Pullman retail growth: Pullman’s new Pullman Park Retail Center is set to add Chipotle now, with Starbucks, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, and Slim & Husky’s planned for late next year. Field of Dreams buzz (nearby travel): MLB’s permanent Field of Dreams ballpark is hosting the Twins vs. Phillies, with youth fields and the real stadium now drawing visitors. Powerful weather watch: Central Illinois faces another round of storms and extreme heat, with strong winds the main risk. Food-service training: My Food Service License launched Group Rates for bulk Food Manager certification for restaurants and multi-site operators.

Severe Weather & Travel Disruptions: NWS confirmed five tornadoes in Will County Tuesday, including EF-2 damage near Monee into Indiana, with tens of thousands still without power as crews work to clear debris and restore lines. Storm Response for Illinois: Delmarva Power says 27 employees are heading to Illinois to help after thunderstorms knocked out infrastructure, joining other utility crews as hundreds of thousands remain without electricity. Gas Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show Illinois-area drivers seeing shifting fuel costs, including a low regular price of $3.79 in McLean County and a $3.61 E15 low in Mercer County for the week ending Aug. 1. Family Fun in the Corn: MLB’s Field of Dreams is now a permanent ballpark, with the Twins hosting the Phillies in Dyersville, Iowa—an easy Midwest road-trip stop for baseball fans. Illinois State Fair Buzz: The 2026 Butter Cow is unveiled with a Route 66 centennial theme, plus a companion sculpture built around “Take a Spin on Route 66.” Local Food Comeback: Quincy’s Big Bro’s BBQ is back after a food trailer explosion destroyed the truck in May, with the owners rebuilding and returning to catering.

Severe Weather & Travel Disruptions: Tornadoes, flash flooding, and damaging winds slammed the Chicago area and parts of Illinois, knocking out power for hundreds of thousands and briefly halting flights at O’Hare and Midway. Power & Safety Updates: Crews worked overnight to clear downed trees and lines as more storms were forecast across the Midwest. Illinois State Fair Logistics: IDOT and the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced one-way traffic changes around the fairgrounds (Aug. 13–23) plus lane closures affecting the Twilight Parade and other events. Outdoor & Family Fun: The Perseid meteor shower peaks soon, with best viewing in Illinois in the early pre-dawn hours under dark skies. Nature & Conservation: Illinois officials urged residents to watch hardwood trees for signs of the invasive Asian longhorned beetle during Tree Check Month. Local Travel Ideas: Chicago scuba divers can explore the city’s shipwreck history, including a Lake Michigan wreck accessible from the lakefront.

Severe Weather Disrupts Travel: Two tornadoes confirmed in the Chicago area Tuesday, with winds reported up to ~99 mph and widespread damage across Cook and Will counties; power outages hit hundreds of thousands and storms also triggered major flight delays and cancellations, including heavy backlogs at Chicago-area airports. Local Impact: In northwest Indiana, storms left at least one death reported in Portage and knocked out power for about 290,000+ customers, with some school districts canceling the first day. Travel-Savvy Consumer Watch: Illinois cities continue to see scam reports tied to travel-related “e-arrival card” offers, with Chicago leading the state in BBB Scam Tracker reports. On-the-Move Comfort: All Nippon Airways’ “The Room” business class suite ranked No. 1 for space and privacy on select U.S. routes including Chicago, with an upgraded “The Room FX” rolling out on newer aircraft. Fuel Check: Gas prices remain volatile; GasBuddy’s Illinois-area updates highlight the best local deals for drivers as summer travel ramps up.

Local Business Boost: Pilsen’s PUÑO is running a Pilsen Apoya Biz Crawl this weekend, encouraging neighbors to visit dozens of locally owned shops (with a stamp punch card and limited-edition T-shirt for shoppers who hit five or more businesses). Travel Disruption Watch: Chicago O’Hare is seeing only minor delays Tuesday after Sunday thunderstorms caused major ground stops and a huge backlog, so travelers should still check with their airlines. New Tourism/Events Angle: Oswego officials are moving ahead on a proposed Breybourne Stadium cricket venue that could seat up to 25,000 and put Oswego on the cricket map for tourism and events. Illinois Policy for Visitors & Families: Illinois expands disability parking placards for caregivers via a pilot program, aiming to make it easier for people to get around. Environment & Waterways: Illinois now requires reporting spills of industrial plastic pellets (“nurdles”), a first-in-the-region step to curb contamination in Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds. Airline Rules Update: American Airlines is changing how elite upgrades work on some routes, with some upgrades no longer landing in Flagship business. Culture & Chicago Fun: Chicago’s West Town galleries are hosting a free, walkable print-focused art event on Aug. 29, spotlighting contemporary prints from Midwest publishers.

School-Bus Safety Reminder: With the new school year days away, Illinois drivers are being urged to obey stop-arm laws, stop at least 20 feet from buses, and slow down in school zones—first offenses can mean fines and license suspension. Illinois Transportation Funding: The Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is opening applications for $157 million in funding for local projects, a big deal for travelers looking for smoother roads and better public spaces. Lake Michigan Beach Picks: A new guide rounds up Lake Michigan beaches from south to north, including Indiana Dunes options and tips to check conditions and parking before you go. Art for Visitors (Chicago): The Art Institute of Chicago’s Project Windows is underway, with de Kooning-inspired displays across 42 neighborhoods and public voting running until Aug. 18. Travel-Related Disruption: A United flight forced to land in Milwaukee after weather delays led to a disruptive passenger incident and canceled onward service, with rebooking for affected travelers. Family-Friendly Local Sports: Rantoul/PBL youth golf teams begin practice ahead of upcoming outings at the University of Illinois golf course. Community & Culture: Chicago’s first cat tour is bringing hundreds of cat lovers to Lincoln Square, adding another quirky stop for visitors.