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Huge Drop In State Fair Attendance ... But Revenue Only Dips

Flickr/Randy VonLiski - Https://Creativecommons.Org/Licenses/By-Nc-Nd/2.0/

Despite great weather, Illinois' State Fair, which fell later in August than usual, saw a huge decline in attendance.

At the state fair's kickoff earlier this month, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced his love of the event.

"I hope everybody in Springfield, everybody around the state, come on out," he said just before the fair's opening parade.

Instead, figures show attendance fell by half. The state says 411,500 people went through the fair's gates, versus the 847,000 who showed up last year.

Yet Illinois brought in nearly $1.4 million dollars, just $55,000 less than last year.

The department of agriculture's spokeswoman notes that parking and admission revenue is audited, while turnout is not.

In a statement, the fair's new director says a strict methodology was used to tabulate attendance. He says he's proud of the fair, and its strong grandstand sales.

Illinois' fair date is set by statute; this year, a late Labor Day meant the fair was held when many students were already back in school.

Gov. Rauner defended holding the fair, despite the state having no budget. He says it would have cost more to cancel, than to have continued. But critics questioned why Illinois went forward as social services are closing.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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