State fairs could suffer due to lack of state budget

Posted on July 10, 2015
Fairs in the state could be impacted by the lack of a state budget. (WJBC file photo)
Fairs in the state could be impacted by the lack of a state budget. (WJBC file photo)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Fair could be impacted by the lack of a state budget.

Fair manager Mike Swartz said the state is unreliable even when they do have a budget.

“I usually don’t see a check from the state, if I get one, or if I expect to get one, until March, April or May after my fair,” Swartz said. “It’s already about an eight-to-nine month delay.”

Because of the usual delay, Swartz said they have ways of covering expenses. But other fairs may not be so lucky. St. Clair County has canceled their county fair, and Swartz said others may follow.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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