Visitors to the Chicago area in 1985 spent $2.125 billion, according to the Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau. The total was $80 million higher than the $2.045 billion spent in 1984, the bureau said. Most of the money was spent by those attending conventions and trade shows. Conventioneers spent an average of $614 during a three-day visit compared with $140 spent by an average tourist during a 2 1/2-day visit. About $135 million of the amount spent was in the form of state and local taxes. The revenue supported more than 120,000 jobs in the hospitality industry.
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