Public Accountability Report Public Accountability Report

2025 State Fairs
Mission Statement Provide opportunities for agricultural awareness through family oriented fairs and to capitalize on the staging of special events that utilize Fairground facilities.
Program Goals and Objectives
  1. Provide a safe, entertaining, and educational experience at a reasonable price.
    1. Survey attendees to improve the value and performance of the State Fairs.
    2. Enhance the education focus of the State Fairs.
  2. Provide a good business opportunity for concessionaires.
    1. Maintain the percentage of returning concessionaires at both State Fairs at 90% or better.
  3. Provide an appealing event for exhibitors and contestants that enhances agricultural industry awareness and strengthens local and State tourism industry.
    1. Survey exhibitors to improve the value and performance of the State Fairs.
    2. Survey contestants to improve the value and performance of the State Fairs.
    3. Survey Attendees.
    4. Improve tourism industry sales.
  4. Maximize the use of State fairground facilities.
    1. Increase and diversity non-fair usage.
    2. Provide and promote events that have economic benefits and impact to the community and Illinois.
Source of Funds General Revenue Fund, Agricultural Premium Fund, Illinois State Fair Fund, Tourism Promotion Fund, Carcass Evaluation Fund, State Fair Promotional Activities Fund Statutory Authority 20 ILCS 210/1
Fiscal Year 2026 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2025 Actual Fiscal Year 2025 Target/Projected Fiscal Year 2024 Actual Fiscal Year 2023 Actual
Input Indicators
Total expenditures - all sources (in thousands) $ 41,226.0 $ 34,439.0 $ 36,157.0 $ 32,119.0 $ 29,391.1
Total expenditures - state appropriated funds (in thousands) $ 41,226.0 $ 34,439.0 $ 36,157.0 $ 32,119.0 $ 29,391.1
Average monthly full-time equivalents 62.0 60.0 57.0 55.0 66.0
Output Indicators
Number of Illinois State Fair concession and exhibit contracts 390.0 388.0 368.0 358.0 341.0
Number of Du Quoin State Fair concession contracts 150.0 143.0 145.0 139.0 136.0
Number of Illinois State Fair attendees 775,000 723,079 800,000 773,518 707,613
Number of Du Quoin State Fair attendees 300,000 282,202 210,000 204,000 166,733
Outcome Indicators
Illinois State Fair Revenue generated (in thousands) $ 10,000.0 $ 9,004.0 $ 10,400.0 $ 10,020.0 $ 7,980.0
Du Quoin State Fair revenue generated (in thousands) $ 1,600.0 $ 1,458.0 $ 1,500.0 $ 1,310.0 $ 1,220.0

Looking for more information?