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The little foundation that couldn’t

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Illinois

* August, 2016…

Governor Bruce Rauner today, on Agricultural Day at the Illinois State Fair, applauded the launch of a new not-for-profit, Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation, to emphasize capital improvements at the Springfield and Du Quoin fairgrounds.

* February 24, 2017…

The first donations are coming in to the Illinois State Fairgrounds Foundation and one board member expects big things on the horizon to help alleviate the taxpayer burden on paying for upkeep at the aging fairgrounds. […]

After the first of the year, the foundation did get its first donation of $10,000, and more is on the way, [John Slayton] added.

* May 3, 2017…

Although more than $185 million is needed for full repairs at the fairgrounds, the fair foundation has a more modest goal of raising $2 to 3 million a year.

* June 12, 2017…

An estimated $12,000 was raised during a recent fundraiser.

* June 19, 2017…

The foundation hopes to raise $3 million to $5 million a year to pay for improvements, [llinois Fairgrounds Foundation Chairman John Slayton] said.

* July 13, 2017…

So far, they’ve raised about $25,000, but are hoping to earn more by selling naming rights to buildings on the grounds.

* August 7, 2017…

“We’ve got to hook up with some of these corporate sponsors who want to adopt buildings,” [Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe] said. “Someone told me that Iowa saw $120-something million run through their foundation. That’d be our goal.”

* March 19, 2018…

The money isn’t coming in quite like John Slayton envisioned it would for the repairs at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield.

“I really envisioned people calling me, but it has not happened,” said Slayton, chairman of the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation. […]

Donations are coming into the fairgrounds foundation. Slayton said the foundation received a $40,000 donation to replace the roof of one of the M-series barns. […]

“We are extremely close to an agreement with an ag association in Illinois on naming rights for the Coliseum. They are ready to go, but they want to make sure of the timeline for the repairs to the Coliseum,” he said. Slayton said that agreement could mean up to $2 million over 10 years.

* Yesterday…

Repairing buildings at the state fairgrounds, replacing some plumbing in the Capitol and making long-awaited improvements to the Lincoln-Herndon law office are among the public works projects that will be financed under the budget signed into law Monday. […]

The budget also contains $30 million to make badly needed repairs to buildings at the fairgrounds.

Perhaps the highest profile of them is the Coliseum which was shut down last year out of safety concerns. It has been closed ever since. The most recent estimate to repair the building is about $7.7 million, said Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Rebecca Clark.

Clark said the department is reviewing the most recent engineering report on the building and that a final design is due to be submitted to the state by Aug. 8.

The final design will be submitted right before the fair begins. It could be two years before the Coliseum is repaired.

The fairgrounds foundation might’ve been a good idea, but it hasn’t worked out. At all. What we needed was an agreed budget and the fairgrounds got everything Gov. Rauner asked for in his February proposal. So, I guess now we’ll see if that promised sponsor comes through.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:20 pm

Comments

It’s going to take a lot more than $30 million to get the fairgrounds in even remotely decent shape. The administration needs to give the foundation some backing to go out and get the sponsorships from the big ag-related companies that are based or do business in Illinois. Iowa has done it and their fairgrounds look like Disney World compared to our glorified county fairgrounds on the north side of Springfield.

Comment by Wylie Coyote Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:32 pm
“I really envisioned people calling me…”

That’s not how you fundraise.

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:32 pm
It was a good idea (still is). It was just very poorly executed.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:33 pm
These beggars with their hands out simply do not have any idea how hard people work for their money and how difficult it is for Illinois residents to even make ends meet.

I mean, $30M? Bruce Rauner has to work almost one-and-three-quarters months to make that kind of money!

Comment by Don Gerard Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:39 pm
=It was just very poorly executed.=

Yes. The would-be donors had their heart set on a particular bill and certain provisions in the bill. That didn’t happen, the money people in the ag world did some finger pointing and complaining, and now they believe that their money will be wasted via procurement rules, prevailing wage, etc, so they aren’t writing the checks.

Comment by m Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:51 pm
The Democrats chose to hold the state hostage to maintain the unmaintainable status quo. This failure, like most (but not all) our state suffers, is on them.

Comment by Chris Widger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:52 pm
Given that the State has flubbed the sports betting legislation and that Fairmount Park Racetrack is slated to close, why doesn’t the State just move the fair to Fairmount Park. They already have the infrastructure there. They could lease out some of the surrounding farmland for parking. The whole thing could be accomplished for pennies on the dollar compared to the $185 million estimate.

Comment by Occam Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:53 pm
This article does a great job of laying out the feelings of the ag world on this.

http://www.wallacesfarmer.com/blogs-lets-compare-iowa-illinois-fairgroundsand-foundations-11215

Comment by m Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 4:55 pm
===The Democrats chose to hold the state hostage===

Nope. Good try.

“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate.”

That was “The Owl”, Ron Sandack, explaining vetoes, and the refusal to let budgets pass or exist over vetoes

You are either willfully ignorant or blissfully unaware of how Rauner held the budgets from being.

You are also grossly ignorant to a budget being passed by bipartisan members overriding Rauner’s vetoes, saving Illinois, and the 152-20 making clear… veto or not, Illinois was having a budget, crafted without Bruce Rauner being able to stop it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:06 pm
The governor should lead a fundraising effort like he did for the mansion.

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:07 pm
The State Fairgrounds buildings are public buildings and capital improvements should be paid for out of the public purse, not by private interests who will then compete for naming rights.

That the state government — legislative and executive branches — let things get this bad is utterly shameful. Those buildings are landmarks and belong to everybody. Failing to maintain them is a betrayal of public trust.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:11 pm
The lack of any Illinois corporate support for the Illinois State Fair has driven me nuts for years.

The shameless ingrates. Looking right at you, especially, CME and CBOE, with your one-off multi-million tax-break-scores in the middle of The Great Recession.

But where’s the hustle from state government? No soft drink sponsor? No McDonald’s? No Walgreens, no WGN, for examples? The list is endless, who’s not there.

No John Deere, for crying out loud? The dude invented the self-scouring plow in Ogle County. Deere HQ is in East Moline; they sponsor the Iowa State Fair, but not Illinois’.

For years, I have gone on-and-on about this disrespect from the corporate world and laziness from the state government in putting the arm to them.

I thought Rauner was a salesman.

Just check out the state fair sponsor list links below for Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana. Then, check your blood pressure. It’s a bad joke.

https://www2.illinois.gov/statefair/sponsors/Pages/Sponsors.aspx

http://wistatefair.com/fair/fair-sponsors-2/

https://www.iowastatefair.org/sponsors/

https://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/sponsors/

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:13 pm
–The State Fairgrounds buildings are public buildings and capital improvements should be paid for out of the public purse, not by private interests who will then compete for naming rights. –

Why is that? I’m at a loss, trying to understand.

You know, at their essence, state fairs are a celebration of private enterprise.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:18 pm
Here is a thought, perhaps we could have a State Fair where the people of the State actually live? That way attendance may actually cover the cost of the event.

Comment by Mod Dem Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:20 pm
Democrats won’t even loosen work rules on projects with 100% private money.

They would rather it not be built unless they have 100% control of how the donors spend their money.

They don’t care what these people do as longs as it’s compulsory

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:22 pm
–Here is a thought, perhaps we could have a State Fair where the people of the State actually live?–

Oh they do. It’s already in Illinois. At the state capitol.

The lack of imagination and hustle in promoting the state fair is just mind-numbingly stupid.

Here is just one obvious and simple idea: put on a high school marching band jamboree. Those cats perform for nothing and they travel.

You’d have buses from every corner of the state jamming the I-55 exits, putting heads in beds.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:27 pm
“I really envisioned people calling me, but it has not happened . . . ”

I’m on couple of boards of non-profits. Believe me, we do not sit on our hands and wait for people to call us. We call them. We send them letters. We set up meetings. We *ask*.

Comment by JoanP Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:30 pm
–“I really envisioned people calling me, but it has not happened,” said Slayton, chairman of the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation. […]–

You said that out loud, did you?

Yeah, maybe you’re not the guy for the job.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:32 pm
“For years, I have gone on-and-on about this disrespect from the corporate world and laziness from the state government in putting the arm to them.”

Outraged about how the business community treats state government but not how state government treats business.

What could possibly be the difference between the Iowa and Illinois state fairs? Hmm

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 5:39 pm
–Outraged about how the business community treats state government but not how state government treats business.

What could possibly be the difference between the Iowa and Illinois state fairs? Hmm–

Is that’s what going on here, babushka?

I’ve been on this for years. When did you get interested?

Your tuneup at the home office in Kazan is way overdue.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 6:01 pm
Why doesn’t the Department of Agriculture get sponsorships, seek corporate donors, sell naming rights for these critical projects? How does the Fair Foundation have the authority to act for the State or to control an asset? Can anybody start a foundation and be given the authority to give naming rights or sponsorships for state buildings? Seems to me there could be some issues if anyone can do this. Just saying.

Comment by Postpone Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 6:19 pm
Just another example of an all hat and no cattle administration failing to get it done.

Comment by The Dude Abides Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 6:35 pm
==No John Deere, for crying out loud?==

Also no sponsorship by Caterpillar or Case New Holland, in a state with a zillion miles of roads, on top of being a huge ag producer - and both companies with manufacturing and corporate headquarters in the state? Wow. Throw AGCO, Ford, and Komatsu into the mix as well, plenty of shame to go around.

Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 7:35 pm
=This article does a great job of laying out the feelings of the ag world on this.

http://www.wallacesfarmer.com/blogs-lets-compare-iowa-illinois-fairgroundsand-foundations-11215=

I indulged and followed the link and read the blog. Lots of complaining about money being drained by CPS.

Funny how those tax averse farmers never, ever talk complain about how all the Ag tax breaks, and Ag subsidies drain away my tax dollars. Maybe they just forgot?

I love farmers, genuinely, but like everyone else they have a short memory when it comes to their special deals.

=Here is just one obvious and simple idea: put on a high school marching band jamboree. Those cats perform for nothing and they travel.=

@Word- with respect- I beg of you, beg, please do not share that idea with anyone else lest it take hold. We are getting killed in our transportation fund and our large band travels all over the midwest. And we bring a following, the idea is pure evil genius.

Please, I implore you, no more band trips (banned punctuation) /heavy snark

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 9:26 pm
==This failure… is==

- on the guy who thought he could fundraise just by sitting back and waiting for the phone to ring.

So silly. I know you like to pretend to think that Bruce Rauner never has to take responsibility for anything, but he set up this foundation, he staffed it, the staffers are duds, and it’s not working. That’s on Bruce.

Comment by Arsenal Monday, Jun 11, 18 @ 10:08 pm
Wasn’t there a proposal to do year around horse racing? Couldn’t that create a review source for grounds up keep

Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 5:26 am
Gee, $180m needed. Yet our General Assembly didn’t seem to have any qualms funding the Obama shrine, er, I mean museum…in Chicago, where everyone knows is all that matters in Illinois. (snark)

Comment by Doi Chef Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 7:53 am
=I indulged and followed the link and read the blog. Lots of complaining about money being drained by CPS.
Funny how those tax averse farmers never, ever talk complain about how all the Ag tax breaks, and Ag subsidies drain away my tax dollars. Maybe they just forgot?=

Maybe you clicked the wrong link. I saw one brief off-handed mention of dollars going to CPS and not a single mention of taxes.

And while you seem to have an issue with subsidies, they’re advocating to spend private money instead of your taxes on fairgrounds repairs.

=Democrats won’t even loosen work rules on projects with 100% private money.
They would rather it not be built unless they have 100% control of how the donors spend their money.=

I’ve never agreed with you before, but this is exactly the issue. If they and their friends don’t get their tribute, ain’t noboby buildin’ nothin’.

This is exactly why Deere, CNH, etc would rather donate to Iowa’s fair.

Comment by m Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 8:56 am
=Maybe you clicked the wrong link. I saw one brief off-handed mention of dollars going to CPS and not a single mention of taxes.

And while you seem to have an issue with subsidies, they’re advocating to spend private money instead of your taxes on fairgrounds repairs.=

Are you being purposefully obtuse? The CPS money is generated by taxation. Is it your belief that they think it comes from donations?

Where do you think Ag subsidies come from? Lotto winnings? Those are also generated by taxes. The point is that farmers, like others, don’t like it when someone else benefits from taxation, but have no issue when they get tax money. It is a bit hypocritical.

You are the one that left the link to the blog, which was all about complaining. These advocates for public funds are one of the largest recipients of public dollars to support their chosen field of endeavor, yet they don’t like supporting “Chicago Schools” with their tax dollars. That is from the link that you shared.

Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:04 am
While it would not be a panacea perhaps now is the time to look into bringing Live Nation into the fold to “purchase” and takeover the Grandstand operations. That is but one piece to the puzzle but it is a huge one. Maybe they could even partner with Hollywood Casino (like in west St. Louis and Tinley Park) and offer racino options to help keep a key component of the Fair more relevant and open more often during the rest of the year.

Chris Stapleton sold out the BOS Center and Avenged Sevenfold sold out the Peoria Civic Center. Foo Fighters sold well at the State Farm Center. We can attract better acts and they will draw people.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:11 am
= These advocates for public funds are one of the largest recipients of public dollars to support their chosen field of endeavor, yet they don’t like supporting “Chicago Schools” with their tax dollars.=

They are advocating for legislation for a foundation to pull in private money. It’s clear, from the beginning, that they want to be able to do what Iowa has done. WITH PRIVATE MONEY.

They also aren’t happy with state government’s support for their industry in the budget. State government doesn’t do farm subsidies. There is not a mention of the federal government.

It’s ok, you want this to be about something else (instead of the fair foundation that the original post is about).

Comment by m Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:16 am
–Also no sponsorship by Caterpillar or Case New Holland, in a state with a zillion miles of roads, on top of being a huge ag producer - and both companies with manufacturing and corporate headquarters in the state? –

How about ADM? Largest corn and soybean processor on the planet.

Corn Products, Allstate, State Farm (what a name), Abbott, Exelon, Nicor….

But CME and CBOE really take the cake. In the depths of the Great Recession, they got a one-off state tax break worth about $100 million a year to them.

It costs $50,000 to be a fair Gold Level sponsor, the highest level.

Nobody in state government has the sales chops to line up multi-billion-dollar Illinois corporations for $50K? That’s a joke.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:22 am
=Nobody in state government has the sales chops to line up multi-billion-dollar Illinois corporations for $50K? That’s a joke.=

Give them their bill and they will do it. Most of these companies are already doing it in other states.

Comment by m Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:28 am
Sling, this may make you very uncomfortable….but I could not possibly agree with you more on this.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:29 am
Prairie Farms, and Illinois company, sponsors the Wisconsin State Fair, but not the Illinois State Fair? Ugh.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:35 am
===–The State Fairgrounds buildings are public buildings and capital improvements should be paid for out of the public purse, not by private interests who will then compete for naming rights. –

Why is that? I’m at a loss, trying to understand.

You know, at their essence, state fairs are a celebration of private enterprise.===

I know that. But I see it as Illinois government abdicating its responsibility as stewards of public buildings. If the state made an effort to maintain these buildings, I might not be so hostile to the idea.

Also, whenever someone like Rauner talks public-private partnership, it almost certainly means trying to skirt around prevailing wage laws. crewed.

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 9:39 am
Holly Spangler, who wrote m’s article for the Prairie Farmer, is Secretary of the Illinois State Fairground Foundation. She blames the Illinois procurement process for costing the state double or triple for things, with no evidence.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:14 pm
Checked out the procurement rules on the IDOA website and there was nothing that looked like it could cause anything to cost double. Maybe the part about using the services of disabled veterans.Disabled veterans might be a little slower. So? Don’t you want to help them, Miss Spangler?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Jun 12, 18 @ 2:27 pm