DuPage group could get extension to lease county fairgrounds

DuPage County Board members are poised to vote on a deal that would allow a group to continue operating the county fairgrounds in Wheaton for three more years.

The board is scheduled to vote Tuesday on a proposed lease extension with the DuPage County Fair Association, the nonprofit group that plans and runs the five-day county fair.

The fair association's lease to use the county-owned property along Manchester Road is set to expire this year. The proposed three-year extension is seen as a stopgap measure so negotiations on a long-term lease can continue.

As part of the proposed extension, certain events with live animals - including circuses, rodeos and traveling zoos - would be prohibited.

"The county has become more and more responsive to animal issues of cruelty and things of that nature," said board member Jim Healy, who is chairman of the board's public works committee. "There was a time when those things were thought as harmless, but now we know better."

Exceptions include county fair events or other programs conducted or sponsored by 4-H, the National FFA Organization, the American Kenel Club, or animal training or other activities conducted by bona fide animal welfare or rescue organizations.

Because of an anticipated loss of revenue from select animal-related events, DuPage is expected to allow the fair association to charge for parking during the county fair.

Another amendment to the lease would allow the county board and county board chairman to issue an emergency declaration to cancel any conflicting events so the fairgrounds can be used for emergency-related activities. In addition, the fair association may be required to submit an annual audit by April 1.

Jim McGuire, executive director of the fair association, said the lease negotiations have been "a long process."

"There's people who have different opinions and thoughts and agendas for what these fairgrounds should be," he said.

While this year's county fair was canceled because of the coronavirus, McGuire stressed the fairgrounds have been very busy. Currently, the property has a drive-through COVID-19 testing site and an early vote site averaging roughly 800 voters a day.

"There's not a lot of facilities that are flexible enough and large enough to accommodate that kind of activity level," McGuire said. "That's why it's important."