BOS Plan Outlines Convention, Tourism Expansion

State and local officials on Tuesday outlined a legislative proposal to expand convention activity and tourism in downtown Springfield, centered on the creation of a new authority and development tied to the Bank of Springfield Center.

The plan is tied to Senate Bill 3499, introduced by Doris Turner, which would establish the Capital Area Tourism Authority as a unit of local government with the ability to finance projects including a full-service hotel and expansion of the convention center. Officials said the proposal is intended to increase tourism, attract conventions, and support economic activity in the downtown area, with coordination among the state, Sangamon County, the City of Springfield, and the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority.

Turner said the legislation reflects several years of planning and collaboration and is designed to generate revenue through tourism activity rather than local taxation. “This project is not an overnight sensation. We have been working on this in a very deliberate and methodical manner for several years,” Turner said, adding that the proposal would move forward “without Springfield residents having to pay any new taxes.”

The legislation is part of a broader set of proposals focused on downtown redevelopment, including measures related to housing and expansion of the Mid-Illinois Medical District. Officials said the effort is intended to position Springfield to compete with other regional convention destinations by increasing available space and adding lodging capacity.

Mike Coffey, who also serves as chairman of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority board, said the project represents roughly $200 million in development and is intended to address limitations in Springfield’s ability to attract conventions. “This legislation represents a bold and transformative investment in the future of downtown Springfield,” Coffey said. He said input from hotels and consultants identified the need for a headquarters hotel, adding, “Listen, we need a headquarter hotel in the capital city.” Coffey said conventions generate outside spending that supports local businesses, noting that “a five hundred person convention will generate about a couple hundred thousand dollars in spending in the capital city,” and said increased demand could lead to further private investment, stating, “When you bring the demand, now you’re going to get people to open up those storefronts.”

Mayor Misty Buscher said the proposal builds on recent collaborative infrastructure efforts and reflects broader changes in how downtown areas are being used. She said the project is intended to support a shift toward a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment uses in response to changing work patterns. “It is time for a new focus for downtown. It is time to combine work, living, and entertainment in one space,” Buscher said.

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter said the proposal is structured so that project costs are supported by users of the facilities rather than local taxpayers. “This will be paid for by the people who use these facilities,” Van Meter said, adding that the funding model ensures sufficient revenue while avoiding tax increases. “She’s crafted a program that assures us that there is adequate money here to get the job done, and she’s also crafted a program that’s assured us that we will not be raising taxes on local citizens of our community.”

The bill is currently moving through the legislative process.