School students in contest to name “The People’s Coliseum”
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner announced today that the Rauner Family Foundation is contributing $1 million to the Illinois State Fair for the naming rights to The Coliseum, the 117-year-old, 60,000-square-foot amphitheater that is “the pride and joy” of the state fairgrounds.
“Diana and I want to make this ‘The People’s Coliseum’ just as we made the Governor’s Mansion ‘the People’s House,’” said Rauner. “In that spirit, we are going to ask Illinois school children to help us to name the Coliseum in a naming contest. This building belongs to the future, so it is fitting that we let the young people who are the future do the naming.”
Rauner made the announcement at the breakfast which kicked off Agriculture Day at the Illinois State Fair. Details of the naming contest will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. Later today, the governor will host the Sale of Champions, where Junior Division Grand and Reserve Champion livestock are selected and auctioned with proceeds going to youth exhibitors and the 4-H and FFA Foundations. Last year’s auction brought in more than $150,000 in proceeds.
“Agribusiness is big business in Illinois,” Rauner said. “There are more than 72,000 farms and 2,400 food manufacturers in Illinois. We are the nation’s leading state for food processing, our ag commodities businesses produce $19 billion a year, and there’s billions more in ag-related industries. It is essential that we support the industry’s growth and advancement by sensibly reducing regulatory burdens and reforming our workers comp and property tax systems.”
At the Agriculture Day Breakfast, Rauner signed a package of legislation that will benefit farmers and ag businesses. First up was Senate Bill 3072, which provides for staggered board terms for the State Fair Advisory Board. The move ensures the operational interests of the fairs are more equitably represented.
The board exists to advise the director and the Department of Agriculture on operational matters for both the State Fairs and the State Fairgrounds.
“These changes to the Board structure will help bring in new perspectives and help ensure that our State Fairs are offering the best family entertainment and value for fairgoers,” said Raymond Poe, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.
“This new law will help bring about fresh and innovative ideas to the State Fair Advisory Board, which will help grow and enhance the Illinois State Fair as the state’s premier summer event for years to come,” said Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady.
“The State Fair Board of Trustees performs a vital service to help guide the Springfield State Fair and the DuQuoin State Fair especially,” said Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Mount Vernon. “The Board is being trimmed from 20 down to 15 in order to increase the likelihood of filling the board and to cut down on the size of government. Every little bit of streamlining helps in Illinois. I am thankful to the governor for recognizing the need to keep the State Fair Board of Trustees a lean, mean and efficiently operating body and for signing SB 3072.”
House Bill 4999 reduces the number of meetings for the Advisory Board of Livestock Commissioners and other administrative requirements, resulting in cost and staff time savings for administrative support.
“With this change in statute, the advisory board is able to easily meet at least once a year to compile their recommendations for the director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture,” said Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond. “Their input is essential for state agricultural success since they approve the rules and regulations of the department on prevention, elimination and control of diseases in our livestock.”
House Bill 5029 ensures the humane treatment of dogs and cats and makes certain breeders live up to legal standards for health. Anyone who intentionally breeds cats and dogs to sell, offer to sell, exchange or offer for adoption are now classified as breeders.
“This new law was created to clear up any confusion regarding the definition under state law for dog and cat breeders,” said Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville. “It will help reduce confusion for both licensees and consumers. It’s just common sense.”
The governor signed House Bill 5459 which amends the Horse Racing Act so that more foals can qualify for Illinois races, a big step to help the racing and horse breeding industries in the state.
Senate Bill 2752 changes definitions of “adulterated” meats and poultry to ensure the protection of consumers against food-borne illnesses.
“Food safety is of critical importance to Illinois families,” said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Freeport, after Tuesday’s bill signing. “Ensuring Illinois conforms with federal guidelines and is implementing best practices with everyone on the same page is important for not just Illinois’ agricultural community, but also for consumers.
“Whenever we need to bring Illinois’ statutes in line with federal guidelines on food safety, we should leap at the opportunity to protect business from unequal application of the laws as well as protect consumers, who are increasingly in tune with what’s in the food their families consume.”
The governor signed Senate Bill 2875 giving the Department of Agriculture authority to develop and implement value-added certifications so that Illinois certified products warrant higher prices. The legislation repeals several non-functioning programs including Forever Green Illinois; Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act Labeling and Certification; Illinois AgriFIRST Act of 2001; the Dairy Statistics Act; the Illinois Food, Farms, and Jobs Act; and the Trichinosis Control Act.
“Under this legislation we are formally repealing some programs within the Department of Agriculture which have not functioned in years but which still exist on paper,” said Rep. Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City. “It is a good measure for streamlining government and avoiding possible confusion in the future.”
“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy. If we can help farms and agribusinesses to succeed, then Illinois will succeed,” said Sen. Chuck Weaver, R-Peoria. “I grew up on a family farm, and know the hard work these men and women do every day to feed the world, and the unique challenges they face. It was an honor to sponsor this new law that consolidates and modernizes rules for programs that affect farmers and agribusinesses each day.”
“This new law will make government more efficient by repealing a number of programs that are no longer operating,” added Okawville’s Meier. “This makes perfect sense to eliminate programs on the books that don’t exist and consolidate programs that still exist.”
Senate Bill 3082 makes it possible for Farm Bureaus to participate more fully in the promotion of Ag Centennial, Sesquicentennial, and Bicentennial programs by considering the bureaus as agribusinesses.
“Agribusiness is Illinois’ No. 1 industry and this new law shows our commitment to supporting agriculture in our state,” said Meier. “Whether your business is in production, processing or distribution, this new law will recognize your business as an ‘Agribusiness’ in the State of Illinois.”
“I am happy to have co-sponsored three of these bills today that streamline the State Fair Board and reduce some of the bureaucracy and cost of the state and let taxpayers keep more of their money,” commented Rep. Dave Severin, R-Benton, who sponsored SB 3072, HB 5459 and SB 2875. “And in our modern economy where some agribusinesses promote farmers and produce as part of the overall $19 billion economy, I think it’s important to recognize not only farmers but those agribusinesses as well in our Centennial designation program for their positive impact on farming in Illinois.”
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