John Reilly with
Miss Illinois USA Chrissy Lam

From Alton to Starved Rock to Rend Lake, John Reilly has dedicated an entire career toward enriching people's lives in the hospitality industry.

"I'm a people person, and I also enjoy the challenge of building and growing a business into something special," Reilly says.

Indeed, that's exactly what he did with The Rend Lake Resort & Conference Center when he became the owner in 1990.

John Reilly personally sees to his guests.

"Back then we had just 14 rooms and a very small conference room. Today, we have 105 rooms, a state-of-the-art Conference Center, a "Great Room" also for meetings and special events, a gift shop and general store, a lounge somehow named Reilly's and much more," says Reilly.

Within that 16 year period, Reilly has created one of the premier tourist destinations in the Midwest, with the Rend Lake area being one of the top most visited tourist spots in all of Illinois.

Reilly (right) supporting the SIU Salukis

From politicians to celebrities and people throughout the entire country, John Reilly welcomes everyone as if they were family. He has been referred to as an "Ambassador for Southern Illinois" and promotes the region whenever he has the opportunity.

John talks up southern Illinois on WGN.

Whether it's talking with Spike O'Dell on WGN Radio, chatting on the air with Mike Shannon in St. Loius, or speaking in front of civic organizations, John is happy to spread the word about why people need to visit Rend Lake and southern Illinois.

John on the
air with Mike Shannon.

"Every morning as I drive to the Resort I feel so fortunate to be in such a beautiful area," says Reilly.

"I want to share that feeling with as many people as possible."

And that is why we say at The Rend Lake Resort & Conference Center, "Live life...the way it should be."

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