Legislation Pending to Create State Fair Foundation

Print

Published on March 23 2016 8:09 am
Last Updated on March 23 2016 9:07 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Governor Bruce Rauner Tuesday urged passage of legislation that would create a foundation allowing private funding and federal grants to support and maintain the grounds of the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair in DuQuoin.

An Illinois State Fairgrounds Foundation would be established in Senate Bill 2903, sponsored by St. Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and House Bill 4900, sponsored by St. Rep. Tim Butler of Springfield.

"By creating a private foundation, companies and citizens will be able to donate directly to the fair to help maintain the grounds without any additional burden to the state," Rauner said during a fairground press conference in Springfield.

Currently, deferred maintenance and upgrades at both state fairgrounds total more than $180 million, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. In Springfield, the state needs to replace 20 roofs, repair the grandstand and upgrade the grounds' electrical system.

"Fairground foundations are not a new concept, and Illinois companies are donating money to those out-of-state foundations," said Raymond Poe, IDOA acting director. "We should be doing everything we can to keep that money in our state for our fairs."

Nearly every neighboring state established foundations to accept private money for state fairs or fairgrounds. Bills, one sponsored by Poe when he served as a state representative, to establish a similar foundation in Illinois failed in the Illinois General Assembly.