County fairs across Illinois could see their budgets reduced as some state reimbursements grind to a halt.
County fairs in Illinois are allowed an annual appropriation from the state, to help pay for rehabilitation, purchase, construction, repair and maintenance of their fairgrounds.
As part of his executive order stopping non-essential state spending, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner issued a letter dated Wednesday, March 11, 2015, demanding county fairs immediately stop spending any more grant money from the state.
Of the 104 county fairs, 92 were allotted a maximum $13,250 from the state for rehabilitation funding, and some of that reimbursement could be paid in arrears. The 2014 Rehabilitation Fund Report from the Illinois Department of Agriculture said the state paid more than $1.3 million that year for county fair rehabilitation.
The report said Bureau County received $14,863.56 in rehabilitation reimbursement; Carroll County received $14,737.60; Henry County received $14,655.59; Jo Daviess County (Elizabeth) received $9,001.96; Jo Daviess County (Warren) received $13,969.36; Knox County received $14,371.09; Mercer County received $15,142.50; Warren County received $13,997.64; and Whiteside County received $17,408.35.
There was no indication yet whether premium funding, which helps fund prizes for livestock and other fair competitions, might also be subject to cuts.
