Recently, news stories profiled a slow start for the new Illinois State Fairgrounds Foundation. So far, the foundation has raised just about enough to buy a nice vehicle, which hardly begins to address millions of dollars in repair needs for fairgrounds buildings and facilities. The foundation's efforts moved into the fast lane with one donation. Governor Bruce Rauner addressed a packed house at the State Fair's Orr Building at the Agriculture Day Breakfast....and he may have received the biggest ovation of his political career, including the night of his 2014 victory speech.....

 

 

 

Rauner wants Illinois youth to weigh in on the building's name...

 

 

 

In the recent state budget, lawmakers provided 30 million dollars for fairgrounds repairs and improvements. State Ag Director Raymond Poe believes the Coliseum, which draws horse lovers from around the world, even the likes of William Shatner, will be open in time for next year's State Fair.