AGR-ISF-Exempt Procurement Report-Fair 2026

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is publishing an ISF-Exempt Procurement Report for the Illinois State Fair fiscal year 2026, with the report posted September 8, 2026 and due (for review or comment) September 23, 2026. This report discloses 189 exempt procurement contracts awarded without competitive bidding under Illinois procurement exemptions.

The scope encompasses entertainment, catering, security, ticketing, and facility services for State Fair operations. Services include free entertainment performances by individual musicians and touring production companies, grandstand entertainment, stage technical support (sound, lighting, video), catering, event staffing, digital ticketing platforms, sensory inclusion training, competitive events software, and parking management. Most service delivery is concentrated in August 2026 during the fair. Contract start dates span throughout 2025 and 2026, with terms ranging from single-day performance agreements to multi-year arrangements with renewal options.

The estimated total procurement value exceeds $8 million across all contracts. Individual contract values range from $75 for single performances to $1,406,922.20 for major entertainment packages. Named incumbents include Audio Technical Services for stage sound ($107,725), Theatrical Services Inc. for stagehands ($374,870.60), and LDW Entertainment Inc. for grandstand entertainment ($1,406,922.20). The report identifies actual prices paid versus estimated amounts, indicating cost variances in some contracts. Renewal structures vary, with some featuring multiple 2-year or 3-year renewal options and others structured as one-time agreements. The exempt procurement classification indicates direct award to specified vendors without competitive solicitation.