Sale of Champions at the Illinois State Fair featured more winners

Posted on August 17, 2023
Grand champion steer “Bill,” shown by Kewanee High School student Kashen Ellerbrock. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – An unusual ending to the Illinois State Fair livestock auction allowed more money to go to the winners.

After a night of bidding on other champion animals and commodities, Illinois Department of Agriculture director Jerry Costello announced Gov. JB and Mrs. MK Pritzker have donated $105,000 for the champion, “Bill,” and that anybody can make contributions that will be divided among all grand champions.

“Bill,” shown by Kewanee High School student Kashen Ellerbrock, will go to Feeding Illinois and end up on grills and dinner plates all over Illinois via food banks.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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