Legislation to establish a foundation for the Illinois State Fairgrounds is back in Springfield. SB 2903 and HB 4990 will create the Illinois State Fairgrounds Foundation, allowing private grants and donations, and grants from the federal government, for the purpose of supporting ground maintenance of the Illinois State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair.

Rebecca Clark, Illinois Department of Agriculture, noted the legislation was introduced in the previous session by former State Rep. and current Director of Agriculture Raymond Poe. Clark said the bill passed the Senate last year, but Speaker Michael Madigan never called it in the House.

FOUNDATION SUPPORT: “The Illinois State Fairs are a great showcase of what Illinois is and the importance of agriculture in the state,” said Gebhards. “SB 2903 and HB 4990 will allow both public and private supporters of the State Fairs to assist in the enhancements needed.”

With bipartisan support in the House from bill co-sponsors, Clark is hopeful for a different outcome. Co-sponsors include reps. Tim Butler, R-Springfield; Sara Wojcicki Jimenez, R-Springfield; Jerry Costello, D-Smithton; Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro; Robert Pritchard, R-Hinckley; David Reis, R-Willow Hill, and John Cavaletto, R-Salem. Support in the Senate comes from bill sponsor Sen. Bill Brady, R-District 44 and cosponsor Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-District 18.

“We’re very excited these individuals are picking up Director Poe’s torch and working to get it passed,” Clark said. “This opens the door to outside funding so we’re less reliant on state dollars.”

“We know there are major Illinois companies, even Illinois agribusinesses, that contribute to outside state fair foundations (in other states) because they have the infrastructure in place to accept these types of donations,” she explained. “We want to be able to keep those Illinois dollars in Illinois and support our home state fair. This is a win for tax payers and a win for the fair.”

Clark noted the funding would be used for its intended purpose. “The funds will be held outside the state treasury,” Clark said. “So the donors would have full assurance those donations are going towards the state fairgrounds.”

Illinois Farm Bureau is on board as well. “We have long supported this concept in the General Assembly. We feel that the IDOA has needed this tool in its tool box to enhance the state fair experience, not only for the agriculture sector, but for all citizens of Illinois,” said IFB’s Mark Gebhards.

If the bill passes, the Illinois State Fairgrounds Foundation would be governed by a 12-member board of directors and chaired by the Director of Agriculture. Each legislative leader would appoint two members and the governor would appoint four members. The bill was introduced in the House on February 8 and in the Senate on February 18.