Illinois County Fairs Face Loss of State Funding
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (AP) — The possible loss of state funding for county fair prizes and rehabilitation projects could affect county fair budgets across Illinois.
Gov. Bruce Rauner listed those as part of his proposed cuts if the Republican and Democratic lawmakers don't agree on a budget deal starting July 1. The Northwest Herald reports that lawmakers have yet to send him the 2016 budget, which is unbalanced by more than $3 billion, and Rauner has said he won't sign it.
McHenry County Fair Board president Ken Bauman says he's worried that the loss of $45,000 that the fair stands to lose starting next year could reduce its overall quality.
He says state funding for this year's fair accounted for more than 7 percent of its total budget.
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