Bill to support Springfield, Du Quoin fairgrounds stalled

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Efforts in the Illinois Legislature to create a private foundation that would support state fairgrounds in Springfield and Du Quoin remain stalled as the Illinois State Fair kicks off this year.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers (http://bit.ly/2aQYMqn ) reports that a bill that has the support of Gov. Bruce Rauner and the director of the Illinois agriculture department failed to advance this spring despite unanimous support from the Senate Executive Committee.

Republican state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington has sponsored a bill that would create a nonprofit organization that could solicit private funds and corporate sponsorships to help with upkeep of the facilities that host the state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin.

The bill wasn't called for a vote before the General Assembly finished its extended spring session in late June.