VISITORS TO THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR CAN EXEPECT TO SEE SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS THIS YEAR. 

AFTER YEARS OF DEFERRING PROJECTS, NEARLY 65 MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN PUMPED INTO RENOVATIONS OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS. THAT INCLUDES THE MULTI-PURPOSE ARENA, WHICH WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN 2022 SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTOR JERRY COSTELLO.

PHASE TWO OF WORK ON THE HISTORIC COLISEUM IS UNDERWAY, WITH MOST OF THE NEW SEATS IN SAYS COSTELLO. AN H-VAC SYSTEM IS BEING INSTALLED TO ENABLE THE COLISEUM TO BE USED YEAR ROUND AND TWO ELEVATORS WILL MAKE THE FACILITY MORE ACCESSIBLE. 

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDING REPAVED ROADS NEAR THE CATTLE AND SWINE BARNS AND NEW ROOFS AT THE EMMERSON AND EXPO BUILDINGS. THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR OPENS THURSDAY.