Contest Announced to Name Rehabbed State Fair Coliseum

A contest to name the historic Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum is underway.

The Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation announced the contest Tuesday. It runs through Dec. 14. Current members of Illinois 4-H, FFA and the Junior Horseman's Council are eligible to submit naming ideas.

The coliseum was built in 1901. It was closed in 2016 because of rapid deterioration and will cost $7.5 million to renovate.

Gov. Bruce Rauner and first lady Diana Rauner donated $1 million from the Rauner Family Foundation in August to buy naming rights.

The winner of the contest to name the historic field house will receive a silver platter of recognition and an Illinois State Fair Mega Pass.

Rauner created the foundation in May 2017 to raise money for long-delayed fairgrounds repairs the state couldn't afford.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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