Illinois has two state fairs. There’s the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, the state capital. And one week later there’s the DuQuoin State Fair three hours away. Both are state government operations.
Josh Gross, manager of the DuQuoin State Fair, asked the Illinois Liquor Control Board about allowing distilled spirits to be sold at VIP events for fans who want to hobnob with celebrities or musicians before shows in the DuQuoin fairgrounds grandstand.
The liquor board said no, and Gross said he won’t pursue and appeal. “From the state’s perspective, the worry is that people who are drinking hard liquor can get more confrontational,” Gross said.
Distilled spirits are still permitted at private events, such as weddings or business parties, at the fairgrounds. But they won’t be permitted while the state fair itself is underway.