AGR-Exempt Procurement Report- May 2026

The Illinois Department of Agriculture posted an Exempt Contracts Report for May 2026 on July 16, 2026, disclosing two contracts executed under the State Fair Performances exemption under 20 ILCS 210/7.1 and Section 19 of the Illinois Procurement Code, with a comment period deadline of July 28, 2026.

Both contracts are exempt from standard competitive procurement requirements. The exemption covers expenditures for artistic or musical services, performances, events, or productions at the State Fairgrounds, including entertainment, advertising, concessions, space rentals, sponsorships, and related services. The exemption authority expires July 1, 2028.

Turasky Catering LLC was awarded a contract for ISF-Pre Show Party Catering services valued at $252,000, effective May 5, 2026, through August 31, 2029. The Illinois Standard Bred Association was contracted to administer, operate, and conduct 3-year-old cardinal violet harness bred races on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield for State Fiscal 2026, valued at $180,750, effective May 11, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

Contracts with annual value exceeding $100,000 are required to be published in the Illinois Procurement Bulletin within 30 calendar days of execution. The Department of Agriculture must provide monthly exempt-contract reports to the Chief Procurement Officer detailing contractor names, service descriptions, contract amounts, terms, and exemption citations. This report serves as notice of those expenditures; it is not a solicitation for competitive bids.