Report Finds Illinois State Fair Grandstand Crumbling

Illinois Department of Agriculture spokesman blames state's troubled finances

Illinois' dismal finances are being blamed for the disrepair of the grandstand at the state fairgrounds in Springfield.

The Springfield bureau of Lee Enterprises newspapers reports crews soon will begin making permanent fixes to the crumbling roof. It's part of a $60,000 emergency contract.

A section of that roof is falling apart, dropping wood debris on the seats below.

Illinois Department of Agriculture spokesman Jeff Squibb says the problems started when water began seeping under a rubber membrane on the roof and caused the wood to rot.

Squibb says the state's troubled finances prevented a roof replacement from happening.

A Springfield company has been hired to make the repairs in time for the Illinois State Fair to begin in August.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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