Illinois State Fair

The state’s pandemic response was front and center as Republicans, focused on next year’s primary and the race for governor, gathered at the Illinois State Fair. Three candidates have already announced they’re running, but there are others who could shake up the contest. NBC 5 political reporter Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Illinois Democrats gathered in Springfield for the state fair on Wednesday, but are there divisions in their caucus? NBC 5 Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern has more details.

Opening Day events at the Illinois State Fair were canceled Thursday due to “inclement weather,” the Illinois Department of Agriculture announced.

To celebrate 100th year of the butter cow at the Illinois State Fair, Governor J.B. Pritzker unveiled this year’s sculpture which will displayed in the Dairy Building at the fair.

The Illinois State Fair will require masks indoors and at concerts for all attendees regardless of vaccination status, the fair has announced.

Organizers of the 168-year-old tradition are emphasizing safety measures to thwart the transmission of the persistent and potentially deadly virus.

Among several new features at this year’s Illinois State Fair will be an unwelcome one: COVID-19

Federal officials have not given official word on if or when people should expect to need COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, but a Chicago doctor broke down the latest information. NBC 5’s Chris Coffey reports.

The highly anticipated Butter Cow Sculpture is underway, the Illinois State Fair announced Monday.

Rock musician Bret Michaels, alongside special guests Dee Snider and Dokken, will take the Grandstand Stage at the Illinois State Fair in August.

Country singer Brett Young will perform at this summer’s Illinois State Fair.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairs theme Thursday, sending a message of unity after a more than year-long fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

Barring a “highly unusual event,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says that he anticipates that the annual State Fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin will be able to proceed later this summer. The governor says that the size of outdoor spaces at both sites will be key to allowing the fairs to take place, and that the Illinois Department of...

Toby Keith and Chris Young are on a full slate of Illinois State Fair grandstand headliners announced Friday for the 2021 event. “This is the first time the Illinois State Fair has announced and gone on-sale with grandstand acts prior to the new year,” a state spokeswoman said in a statement, noting those who purchase tickets will get a full…

With the state of Illinois prohibiting large-scale gatherings until more effective treatments for coronavirus or a vaccine are widely available, the annual state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin have been canceled this summer.

The state of Illinois reported more than 650 new cases of coronavirus on Monday, the lowest single-day increase in cases since the end of March. Still Gov. J.B. Pritzker remains cautious about loosening some restrictions. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

With the state of Illinois prohibiting large-scale gatherings until more effective treatments for coronavirus are widely available, Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it is “highly unlikely” that the annual state fairs in Springfield and DuQuoin will be held this summer.  The annual state fairs have not officially been canceled yet, but the governor sounded a pessimistic note when asked about...

May 6 briefing: The Latinx community in Illinois is testing positive for coronavirus at a higher rate than any other demographic group in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said.

What do country music star Toby Keith and rap legend LL Cool J have in common? They’ll both be performing at the Illinois State Fair this year, organizers said Friday, announcing part of the entertainment lineup slated for the grandstand.