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Rauner bypasses legislature to create Illinois State Fair Foundation

Agricultural leaders have come together to establish a private foundation to fix the ailing state fairgrounds in Springfield and DuQuoin.

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner made the announcement during Ag Day festivities at the Illinois State Fair.  He says individuals have stepped up to accomplish what the state legislature has been unable to do.  “There will be no government management or interference,” he says.  “This will be private, not-for-profit organization run by citizens of Illinois to raise money to donate to repair our fairgrounds.”

Rauner says the state has not properly invested to protect the buildings and the fairgrounds.  “And it is so important to promote agriculture to grow our economy and create a better future for farmers and also promote tourism,” he says.  “We have a wonderful fairgrounds.  We cannot let them continue to deteriorate.”

He says by not having a Fair Foundation – Illinois has been missing out.

A legislative measure to create a Fair Foundation board stalled in General Assembly last year.  “Missouri has a fair foundation,” he says.  “Iowa has one.  Wisconsin has one.  Indiana has one. Illinois doesn’t have one.  So we have companies headquartered in Illinois that are very successful agri-businesses and they’re donating out of state.  That money should be here.  We should be donating to fix up our fairgrounds and make them the best in the world.  And that’s what this fair foundation will allow us to do.”

Rauner said between Springfield and DuQuoin there is more than 180-million-dollars in deferred maintenance.

AUDIO: Governor Bruce Rauner

**Audio and photo courtesy of Steve Bridge, WFMB, Springfield, Ill.**