It was announced this week by the nonprofit group, Landmarks Illinois, that the Du Quoin State Fair is one of several endangered historic buildings/properties that could be on the chopping block at some point.
According to the report, "numerous structures at the state fairgrounds in Du Quoin and Springfield are suffering due to a lack of maintenance because of state financial problems."
Is there ever any good news about Illinois these days?
It's kind of hard to tell when we're constantly reading about monthslong budget impasses that result in drastic funding cuts to our schools and human services agencies. Or the fact that residents are moving out of the state in such record numbers. Or that those who draw state pensions will not have any money from which to draw by the time they reach their golden years.
So, now the scuttlebutt is that the Du Quoin State Fair -- 95 years old -- could cease to exist in the near future because of neglect from the state.
Shocker.
This is the fair, by the way, that opened in 1923 under the leadership of horse breeder William R. Hayes. Wikipedia reports that It was Hayes who created the fair as a parallel event to the Illinois State Fair, which had banned gambling on horse races.
To avoid competing for visitors, the Du Quoin State Fair began immediately after the Illinois State Fair closed and ran through Labor Day.
In its day, the fair has attracted such prominent entertainers as Bob Hope, Red Skelton,
Louis Armstrong, The Beach Boys, Alabama, Garth Brooks, George Burns, Johnny Carson, Johnny Cash, Sammy Davis, Jr., Nat King Cole, Bill Cosby, The Doobie Brothers, Foreigner, Andy Griffith, Merle Haggard, The Osmonds, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Dianna Ross, Willie Nelson, and countless others.
Moreover, the fairgrounds has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July of 1990.
For the record, there are other buildings that could face demolition. Chicago's James R. Thompson Center heads the list.
Others include: The Forum in Chicago; Second Church of Christ, Scientist in Chicago; Chautauquas and Tabernacles, Des Plaines, Freeport and Shelbyville; Varsity Theater Block in Evanston; The Night Spot Cafe in Fairmont City; Central Congregational Church in Galesburg; Early Settlement-Era Buildings in Geneva; Kincaid Mounds in Massac and Pope counties; Old Nichols Library in Naperville; Rock Island County Courthouse; and Stran-Steel House in Wilmette.
Landmarks Illinois says this year's list focuses on sites that represent Illinois' 200-year history in honor of the Illinois bicentennial.
What I'd like to see is our state leaders come up with the necessary funding to keep worthwhile institutions like the Du Quoin State Fair financially stable and relevant for decades to come. It would seem to be the fair thing to do.
