(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- By promoting dozens of small businesses across Illinois, the state is hoping to attract more customers for them while boosting tourism.
Each year small businesses are added to the "Illinois Made" program.
Governor Pritzker said raising awareness of some of the most unique small businesses Illinois brings more shoppers to the communities they are in and that it's also a way to attract more visitors from across Illinois and out-of-state to those communities.
"The Illinois Made program selects a group of the most exemplary hidden gems and one-of-a-kind small businesses and encourages Illinoisans and visitors alike to discover the experiences that each of them offer," he added.
"Our major investments in promoting tourism have brought enormous number of new visitors to local communities to shop for local products."
Pritzker said 48 small businesses were added this year to the "Illinois Made" program, bringing the total to 276.