(SPRINGFIELD) The Office of the State Fire Marshall announced yesterday the application period is now open for the Small Equipment Grant Program, which this year will award $4 million to eligible fire departments and ambulance services for emergency equipment. The program is especially important now for rural fire departments and non-profit ambulance services that do not generate enough tax money to purchase needed & updated equipment.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois residents interested in becoming notary publics can now apply online. In fact, building on a new Electronic Notary System that was launched by the Secretary of State’s Office back in April this year, it’s all part of the agency’s efforts to modernize operations in Illinois. Go online to the ilsos.gov website for more details and information about all the requirements needed. There are currently 148,059 notaries public in Illinois and nearly 600 are also electronic notaries public commissioned in Illinois.
(SPRINGFIELD) Illinois State Fair officials unveiled the Butter Cow exhibit yesterday in the fairground’s Dairy Building. The Butter Cow has been an unofficial mascot of the State Fair since the 1920’s. At least 500 pounds of unsalted butter are used to sculpt the life size figure by hand as the display will remain on exhibit for the duration of the fair until August 18th.
(SPRINGFIELD) The 2024 Illinois State Fair is underway in Springfield with today being noted as County Fair & Horse Racing Day with nearly all the statewide local county fair queens on the fairgrounds, plus it’s the first day of harness racing and first day of various livestock shows as well. This evening’s annual Twilight Parade starts at 5:30, running from Lincoln Park to the fairgrounds. Then tomorrow is Agriculture Day with more harness racing, more livestock shows, the cutest little farmer contest, and the fair’s first grandstand performance tomorrow night featuring Keith Urban with Mackenzie Porter. Then Saturday is Kids Day with all children ages 12 and under admitted free featuring a ponytail contest, the diaper derby, a mullet competition, a fiddle & banjo contest, more harness racing, more livestock shows, the parade of champions, the Wooten Rodeo in The Arena, and on stage Motley Crue with Phil X & The Drills. Sunday will be Veterans Day & Gold Star Families Day with all Veterans and their immediate families admitted free, plus featuring Veterans Day activities & parade, more livestock shows, and on stage that night, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit with Ashley McBryde. Next Monday will be Senior Citizens Day & Scout Day with those age 60 and older and all Scouts in uniform admitted free, plus more livestock shows and the ITPA truck & tractor pulls in The Arena that night. Every day activities includes various shows & more at Conservation World, along with all the great fair food concession stands, and other entainment. Stay up-to-date online at the statefair.illinois.gov website.