DU QUOIN, IL (KFVS) - As Illinois tries to "reign" in spending, cuts could put a halt on a big day at the races at the Du Quoin State Fair.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's proposed budget cuts nearly a half a million dollars out of the Du Quoin State Fair. Fair organizers say cutting the $500,000 purse for the World Trotting Derby seemed like just the ticket to fill that gap.
"It's a great tradition and we hate to see it go," said Du Quoin State Fair Director John Rednour, Jr. "But in tough times, tough things need to happen... We went through various scenarios to do this cut that, we thought for the people of Illinois, this would be the best avenue with the least amount of lost revenue for the people of Illinois."
All Illinois-bred horse racing will go on as planned; only eight Grand Circuit races, including the World Trotting Derby, will be canceled.
Organizers hope to be able to bring back the so-called "Kentucky Derby of Harness racing" when the state's budget crunch lessens.
via www.kfvs12.com
