Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker yesterday announced the launch of a $6M summer 2021 tourism campaign with the theme 'Time for Me to Drive' soundtracked by a variant of IL band REO Speedwagon's song 'Time for Me to Fly.'

At a media conference at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield Pritzker said:

“After an incredibly difficult year in which the pandemic kept us all close to home and staying apart, life-saving vaccines are bringing us back to life and heading toward a summer of fun and venturing out. I’m proud to launch the ‘Time for Me to Drive Campaign,’ inviting people to see all of Illinois, showing off adventures of all kinds �" historic sites and winery tours, state parks and rock climbing, hiking and zip lining, hundreds of craft breweries and thousands of excellent restaurants across the entire state.”

The campaign targets residents of Illinois plus 7 neighboring states and 18 metro markets.

Illinois is scheduled to enter tomorrow the "bridge" stage of 28 days between Phases 4 and 5 of its reopening plan, when museums, amusement parks and zoos can increase capacity to 60%, outdoor events will be able to seat 30 people per 1000 sf, and meetings, theaters and performing-arts venues can increase capacity to the lesser of 60% or 1000 people.