The summer brought signs of recovery for Illinois’ tourism industry, but hiring woes and the delta variant are hurdles to full recovery

Mark Johnson, raises an umbrella at an outdoor area at Grand Bear Resort at Starved Rock in North Utica, Illinois, on Sept. 2, 2021. The area was supposed to become an outdoor pool, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic it was turned into a “backyard” area with a screen for movies and other amenities. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)