* SJ-R…
Landrey Freeman of Winchester proclaimed it “the best experience of her life.”
Her mother, Jessica Freeman, “couldn’t believe the numbers that were coming out of the auctioneer’s mouth.”
When the dust cleared on the Governor’s Sale of Champions Tuesday at the Coliseum of Champions at the Illinois State Fair, Landrey Freeman’s Grand Champion Steer had fetched a record $105,000 bid from Illinois First Lady MK Pritzker.
She outbid another Pritzker — namely Gov. JB Pritzker — much like she did at the 2019 State Fair.
Landrey gets half of the final bid. The previous record was set by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner.
* Pics…
More pics here.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 9:31 am:
== The previous record was set by then-Gov. Bruce Rauner.===
By nearly every measure, Illinois better off without Rauner… even cattle auctions.
:)
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 9:45 am:
When my sons were in 4-H, and had lambs and a pig in the livestock auction at the Lake County Fair, you always had members of the Governor’s extended family (siblings or cousins, I can’t remember) buying the animals and reaching record prices. Great for the kids!
- ;) - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 9:46 am:
Yay billionaires.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 10:23 am:
=Yay billionaires.=
What a (banned word).
Good on the First Family in doing good things for our ag community and the our FFA kids. The Pritzker’s have been quietly supportive of this community, I wish they would make a bigger deal of that I think it would have some impact with rural Illinois.
- Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 10:31 am:
“yay billionaires”
Kid walks away with 52 grand and you want to be cute.
- BTO2 - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 10:39 am:
How great for the young lady and the Gov/First Lady.
Maybe that area of the state can take down a couple of their Gov sucks signs now.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 10:53 am:
that’s great for the young owner. but billionaires fixing everything is such a bad way to do things.
- 62468 - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 11:11 am:
When will Illinois Democrats advance and promote a real Agriculture Pillar/Agenda?
A photo op and record purchase at the fair is one thing, a policy agenda/priority is another thing entirely.
Could a real focus on Agriculture help Dems downstate?
- Kyle Hillman - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 11:40 am:
So what happens now, I assume I won’t see the champion steer grazing around the Governor’s mansion.
- Cheryl44 - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 11:45 am:
This is great!
I have questions. Please remember I haven’t the slightest idea how any of this works. My only experience with cows is with the ones at the farms at the zoos.
1. Why would a steer be worth that much money?
2. Why does she only get half?
- Flying Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 12:08 pm:
“but billionaires fixing everything”
Because that’s exactly what this post is about.
It must be hell to be so miserable.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 12:35 pm:
= I assume I won’t see the champion steer grazing around the Governor’s mansion.=
What do you think the governor will be serving at his event that will take place at the mansion to replace the state fair event? Spoiler alert, it ain’t going to be tofu.
- Frumpy White Guy - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 1:07 pm:
The commercials where JB discusses his advocacy for public health are very positive and helpful. His physical presence is a reminder that obesity is near the top of the health threats in America. With all of his resources one would hope that he could find away to deal with his very serious obesity problem. What a tremendous example he could provide.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 1:21 pm:
not miserable at all. Sox making me very happy.
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 2:09 pm:
Hats off to our First Family.
Actually thinking this was a nice way to highlight the agricultural community in Illinois.
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 2:23 pm:
It’s a fun night with lots of smiles for everyone there. But the high stakes at the top end of livestock shows would turn plenty of people off if they knew how much of it works.
If you’re ever in Winchester - stop by the Great Scott Community Market. Its a neat store with an even better story about how the community rallied to bring a store to the town.
And if I remember correctly - the home town of Tribune scribe Ray Long.
- Anne - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 3:44 pm:
What? The Pritzkers regularly bid on animals at the State and Lake County fairs? That’s wonderful! It amazes me non-Gov-Pritzkers even know the kids raise these animals for auction. Much less make a point of bidding. (My steer didnt sell at the AL state fair in …well.. the 80s…but I sure had fun being there. This is so cool.)
- JoanP - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 4:29 pm:
@Cheryl44 -
According to the State Journal-Register website, the remaining half is split, “with 10% going to the 4H and FFA, 15% going to the reserve grand champion steer and 25% going to all the other breed champions”.
@Kyle Hillman:
The steer will be donated to the Central Illinois Food Bank
- Liandro - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 4:30 pm:
“It must be hell to be so miserable.”
You do realize that you don’t have to personally attack someone simply because they disagree with your take, right?
- 4 percent - Wednesday, Aug 18, 21 @ 5:26 pm:
Hmm.. indoor facility and neither the Governor nor Mrs. P are wearing masks…