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Inaugural ball leads to $800K donation to Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation

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Illinois

* I was told yesterday that the inaugural ball raised $800,000 and Pritzker matched it with his own money. So, the Fairgrounds Foundation will receive $800K as will Cabrini Green Legal Aid…

The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation is getting a check for $800,000, raised with the ticket sales from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s inauguration. […]

John Sullivan, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said Monday the fairgrounds have been neglected for many years. As a result, there is a huge backlog of deferred maintenance and repairs.

“We will identify where the money can best be used,” Sullivan said. “Certainly the foundation is going to have some input on that. We will make sure the money is put to good use.”

Along with the donation, the General Assembly also allocated $30 million in the budget passed last year for repairs at the state fairgrounds. Total rehabilitation needs at the state’s two fairgrounds has been estimated at $185 million.

$185 million in unmet capital needs. Wow.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 9:51 am

Comments

Part one: Nice
Part two: Wow, indeed.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 9:58 am
I have to ask: Is $800,000 more than the State Fair Foundation has raised up to now?

Comment by Alrighty then Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 10:00 am
That leads to the question of just how much other $$$ needs to be spent elsewhere for capitol needs: DOC, DJJ, Veteran’s affairs, Universities … in addition to Roads, Bridges,and other infrastructure.

Comment by The Real Captain Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 10:07 am
I really like this governor.

Ive met him twice and each time I felt that he is legitimately just a nice guy.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 10:28 am
–$185 million in unmet capital needs. Wow.–

I’m sure ADM, Deere, CAT, etc., all of our great corporate-citizen giants that made their fortunes on the labor of Illinois farmers will step up any day now with their charitable contributions.

I kid.

The most galling is CME, the wildly profitable ag futures casino that shook down the state in the depths of The Great Recession. They’ve never even put up pocket lint.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 10:28 am
“That leads to the question of just how much other $$$ needs to be spent elsewhere for capitol needs: DOC, DJJ, Veteran’s affairs, Universities … in addition to Roads, Bridges,and other infrastructure.”

Captain CDB, CMS and almost all state agencies have long list of capitol needs. State agencies like DHS have been using duct tape to hold together many of the building in their state operated centers and offices.

If the true size of what is really needed in terms of upkeep and repairs to state owned properties were know, it would probably mean any Capital Bill would need to double in size. From roofs, to parking lots, to HVAC systems, the state’s needs are huge.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 10:38 am
=The most galling is CME, the wildly profitable ag futures casino that shook down the state in the depths of The Great Recession. They’ve never even put up pocket lint.=
But if you ask them, everyone else are a bunch of “takers”.

Comment by Excessively Moderated Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 11:01 am
Farmers/exhibitors are all about “investing ” in the fairgrounds and all that is lip service as very few have contributed.

Comment by flea Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 12:00 pm
$800K would be better invested in moving the state fair to DeKalb.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 12:59 pm
Congrats to Cabrini Green Legal Aid. That type of support will help a lot of people.

Comment by Montrose Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 1:04 pm
$185 million?
Baloney
Whete are these fairgrounds located? Tokyo?

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 2:48 pm
“Give me a break” — I agree. $185 million is a drop in the bucket of what we really need in a capitol bill. Some are enormous projects and some are small. Everything needs to be on the table when the talk happens.

Comment by The Real Captain Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 2:55 pm
VMan: Take a drive through the fairgrounds, look at the condition of the buildings, roads and sewer and electrical systems. Get back with us when you figure out $185 is likely the low end.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 3:37 pm
“$800K would be better invested in moving the state fair to DeKalb.”

Which one?

Comment by why do we have 2 Tuesday, Jan 29, 19 @ 4:00 pm