Question of the day
Tuesday, Aug 16, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From Illinois Statehouse News…
Anyone 60 years or older walked through the gates of the Illinois State Fair for free Monday as part of senior day, but freebies like this one are costing taxpayers millions of dollars every year as the fair continues to lose money.
The latest figures available show that the 10-day event in Springfield lost $2.8 million in 2009, and an even larger $3.7 million in 2008, or about 47 percent and 40 percent, respectively, according to Illinois auditor general reports. […]
“We’ve had vendors indicating that they’ve had three times the business in one day this year than they did (all 10 days) last year. So (when) those revenues increase and improve, it closes the gap between how much it costs and the actual return on that investment,” [Tom Jennings with the Department of Ag] said.
[Amy Bliefnick, manager of the state fair] said she had heard similar good news.
“We sold the most concert tickets we’ve ever sold. We sold 15,300 (Sunday night). Not only did those people buy tickets to the concert, they paid admission. They paid parking; they bought a few beverages and maybe a corn dog or two. Add all of that together and it helps,” Bliefnick said.
* The Question: Should the Illinois State Fair eliminate “freebie” admittance days like Monday’s Senior Day? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please. Thanks.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:31 am:
Yes. And then eliminate the Fair itself, acknowledging that it is an unnecessary cost that the State cannot afford.
- ivote - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:33 am:
Freebies are nice, but not when the state is in the fiscal crisis it currently faces. I doubt very many folks go the the fair only because it is free to get it. Any loss in admissions will be miniscule. As to the idea of “Anonymous” to eliminate it, please remember Agriculture is this state’s biggest industry. The income, interest and advertising it produces is well worth the cost!
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:35 am:
===I doubt very many folks go the the fair only because it is free to get it===
I went last Thursday, a free day. The place was absolutely jammed.
- So. ILL - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:40 am:
I voted yes. I agree with Anonymous. If you want to start looking for cost savings, try eliminating the “Pirates of the Caribbean” diving show. First of all it is super lame, and second, it was free to watch. The 6:00 show was packed.
- gathersno - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:42 am:
Being a tad over 50 (if a tad equals 31 years),I went to the Fair last evening with my sweetie who also got in free. I more than made up for the freebie by spending money on drink and food. I imagine most others of the golden years did the same, making it a winning proposition for the vendors and the Fair.
- Excessively Rabid - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:45 am:
Over-60’s in particular don’t need it. We are the wealthiest group, on average. If you want to promote attendance, you could have a reduced price day and still collect something. I would keep the break for vets and active duty military.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:49 am:
I agree with ivote, especially with the comment to the 11:31 Anonymous (faux).
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:50 am:
Having been involved in putting on various fests, gate admissions were never a major consideration. You covered your expenses with vendor fees and sponsorship; the gate fees were there just to ensure the attendees were actually interested in the program.
I went Monday because that was when both the wife and I could go together. Even though we knew it was Senior Day (and also Scouting), I fully expected to pay. I was walking up to the ticket booth with money in hand when they told us seniors were free. The $4 wouldn’t have made any difference to me one way or the other. However, in this economy, I can understand how it would affect a lot of people’s decisions. Growing up, I remember about the only time my parents took me to the fair was Veteran’s day when the whole family could get in free.
- Way Way Down Here - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:57 am:
No. If they are going to have it at all, they need to keep the vendors happy and returning.
- the Patriot - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 11:58 am:
Do eliminate but modify. Give reduced prices to still get them in to help vendors, but cover some costs. give them 50% off or something.
We need to redefine seniors. This is part of the problems with many state programs and especially seniors. The state recognizes that people over 60 are seniors jut as we did 30 years ago. The problem is people are living much longer and they are not getting 8-12 years of freebees, they are getting 20-30 years of freebees. That is a big difference to the state especially with the boomers.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:04 pm:
Union Guy has a good point, though. Even during tough times, our military and their families should be able to get in for free, regardless of whether it’s Veteran’s Day, or any day they choose. They sacrifice alot for all of us and should be able to enjoy a great day with their families at the Fair.
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:08 pm:
I have also done different fests. Admission price was simply a way to get people who actually wanted to be there. $4-$5 at the gate or 1-2 eats inside makes little difference. If someone is coming with $20 they will likely spend most of it. They know what the fair is, why they are coming, and are planning to take part. Price vendor and contest fees appropriately. It is easy to rationalize cutting the fair based on budget. The discussion several days ago moved toward the local economic benefit in hotels, food, and tourist stuff. Back in my bar days, cheap beer, and a good band jammed the place. And a good band moved alot of beer. Same thing at the fair.
- Redbird - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:08 pm:
I understand the logic behind the freebies, but if a senior citizen can afford to drive, park, and buy a lemon shake-up or a corn dog, surely they can afford the $2 admission fee.
- Mr. Ethics - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:19 pm:
There should special days, but not just for seniors. Parents Day, Teen Day, Residence Day, etc. They usually bring along a fare paying person or two. Everyone will have more money to buy things once inside.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:22 pm:
As a matter of fact, if they don’t already, I’d even be for the State offering/negotiating with vendors for other freebies/discounts for military families, especially when it doesn’t impact overhead (e.g., if there is no/a short line at the slide, let them ride for free or at a discount).
- reflector - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:26 pm:
The fair gave free tickets to the seniors and still did more business than ever,so whats the problem?It seems that this would mean do not charge admission.Whats next veterans day?
- downstate hack - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:29 pm:
Take away all freebies, but that includes politicians, volunteers everyone (not just seniors) until the fair turns a profit. It is only fair that any subsidies for any event or program without a guaranteed return are just not feasible at this time with the State finances as they are.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:34 pm:
Downstate, do the political parties and politicians get free admission tickets for distribution, or do they pay for them?
- D.P. Gumby - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:39 pm:
I voted “yes” only because we need to retarget the freebies. 60 is too young nowadays as is 62 for soc. sec. Need to raise “old” to 65 at the earliest.
- 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 12:39 pm:
Aren’t Seniors already getting reduced entrance fees?
Also raise the age of a Senior back to 65 or maybe 70.
My answer was yes.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:18 pm:
Let state legislators hand out free state fair admission vouchers to deserving constituants.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:18 pm:
I voted ‘NO’ but agree the age should be raised, probably to 70. People are working longer and the benefit of free admission should be reserved more as a benefit for retired people on more fixed incomes. That said, ask me again in 3 years when I turn 60 if I feel the same way…
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 1:39 pm:
Maybe the AFSCME members could debate the issue of people getting in free while the fair loses money, while they are standing out front complaining about not getting their raises.
- Dwarf - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 2:02 pm:
I think it is a great idea to create traffic at the fair on a day that I would guess would be a very slow day anyway. If just some of the people that get in free on a Monday afternoon that might not have attended the fair at all spend some money on lunch or some other activity, isn’t the fair better off? They are creating traffic on a slow day the same way that stores offer senior discounts on slow days. The stores don’t really care about giving seniors a break but are looking for a way to get people into the store at a time that it would normally be slow. Seems as though they are running the fair more like a business.
- Colossus - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 2:11 pm:
Eliminating the freebie admissions for seniors would generate all of, what, $60K? That’s why you’ll take this away, to reduce the loss from $2.80M to $2.74M? This isn’t how you fix financial problems, this is how you alienate and fracture the voting population.
The State is not a business, you can’t expect it to operate like one. Look up the definitions of “government” and “business” and you will see the primary difference is that one is designed to turn a profit and the other isn’t. Just because some have decided that business know what’s right, all the time, doesn’t mean that government is meant to operate like one.
Of all the curmudgeonly ideas this austerity wave has produced, charging $2 for seniors to get into the State Fair on Seniors Day has got to take the Grinch Award.
- PrecinctCaptain - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 2:48 pm:
The concert lineup seems to have a few good performers who could draw some folks in. Now, how much it costs to bring those performers in is one thing, but just like the Taste of Chicago, more people will come with better musical entertainment options. Also, I believe the Fair should have some free days since I doubt many people go to a free day and spend zero dollars on food, rides, etc. Additionally, they probably expended some gas money. May one free day versus all kinds of free days targeted at different groups, but completely eliminating them sounds short-sighted to me.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 3:32 pm:
Instead of free, change to reduced price.
- Bigtwich - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 4:38 pm:
The Fair has Veteran’s day, Senior’s day and Family day ($2.00 admissions. No body has the desire to take on Veteran’s day. Family day is the last day and the reduced admission is probably necessary. That leaves Senior’s day to argue about. Many for profit businesses give Senior discounts. I expect that is to drum up trade rater then corporate (who are people too) largess. It probably works that way at the Fair also. Want to make money at the Fair? Raise the admission to $15 and move it to Chicago.
- Downstate Commissioner - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 5:21 pm:
I voted “no”, but wasn’t going to comment, then read the comments-discovered that some people took this vote as chance to advocate eliminating or moving the fair. Sorry, I look forward to the fair every year and usually go a couple of times. Sometimes I get in free as a volunteer, sometimes not, but I still go. However, I wouldn’t go to Chicago- I can’t afford the trip, and prices for food and entertainment would be even higher than they are now.
I have been involved in state organization events-upstaters can afford to, and will travel to central Illinois. Central and Southerners will NOT travel to Chicago for events there.
- A Regular Voter Speaks - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 5:22 pm:
Agree with Red Bird. Seniors already get a break with the admission price. If you can’t afford the 2 dollar admission, then maybe the fair isn’t for you.
- Lance Stevens - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 8:00 pm:
It’s the State Fair!! Why not let Seniors in for free?
- Justice - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 8:07 pm:
Keep the free days.
If you want to do something constructive, start tracking the cash that is paid for tickets at the entrances. I have never seen any money tracking at any of the gates. I hand them cash, they hand me a ticket then immediately take it back.
Where is the receipt? Are they “ringing up” the cash or does Bubba and Grace simply put it in a bag? Whose bag?
At Micky D’s and the movies they have cash accounting systems. I guess behind those windows, which you can hardly see through to see who you are handing the cash to, there are a couple of bags….a small one for the people of Illinois and the State coffers, and a very big one for whomever is currently in charge and now collecting?
Me thinks that could help the profit margin a bit if they “accounted” for the receipts.
- Nilwood Northsider - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 9:22 pm:
Sorry. I committed a newbee mistake posi\ting on the wrong site.
My wife and I attended yesterday only because it was free. We spent more than $75.00 before we left. With the fees that the state charges vendors, I believe they ended up with more than the free admission cost them.
- Justice - Tuesday, Aug 16, 11 @ 9:41 pm:
And oh yes….I got in free on Seniors Day and spent a bundle. Like most seniors I ate lots and drank lots. I also spent money on my grand kids, young and old.
Not many seniors go to the fair by themselves, and if they take advantage of Senior Day, good for them…and the State!
- Down South - Wednesday, Aug 17, 11 @ 8:18 am:
When it is below 80 degees everyone comes out. If it 90 degees or above you do not get the turnout, no matter the addmission price. The Fair has a tuff job. To have a chance to break even you have to have people on the grounds. Thus, it is 80% about the weather. So if you get a few more people on the grounds and they spend some money they may want to come back.