Illinois reduces funding for county fairs

URBANA – County fairs in Illinois, including the Champaign County Fair, will see a nearly 23 percent cut in the funding they receive from the state for cash awards for livestock exhibits.

Part of $1.4 billion in budget cuts made earlier this month by Gov. Rod Blagojevich included a cut of $626,000 in state funding that goes to county fair associations as reimbursement for small cash awards, known as "premiums," for livestock exhibitions and other judging competitions, such as for vegetables, fine arts and needlework and crafts.

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