Our national treasure M.C. Hammer performs "Can't Touch This" just like old times. more ›

Growing up here, I never even though of going to the state fair. It's just not something that's ever been on my radar. As I got older and started to pay more attention to the politics of the state, I came to realize that the state fair is something that's pretty important to Illinois, especially those that don't live in or around places like Chicago. Rich Miller at Capitol Fax attends the state fair every year. This year, he shot a short video of the butter cow, and I have to say, it makes me want to make the journey downstate. more ›

When reporters around the state bust the Governor's balls, it's just another day at the office. But when a 16-year-old high school student gets all up in G-Rod's business, it's news. Aaron Mulvey of downstate Rochester confronted the Gov at the state fair yesterday, video camera in hand, to ask for the millions of dollars the state promised Rochester High 6 years ago—and then promptly sat on. more ›

Here are some other news items of note while we're at Millennium Park enjoying Muhal Richard Abrams and Reginald Robinson: The U.S. attorney's office has joined an ongoing Cook County probe into the rogue actions of an elite squad of the Chicago Police Department . Blue Line passengers can expect (more) delays starting this weekend. The sculptor who created Berwyn's spindle claims that the shopping plaza where it sits is "prostituting" the sculpture under... more ›

Rod Blagojevich has made much about his fantasy of selling parts of the State to private companies as a revenue stream for Illinois. Daley started this trend by selling a 99-year lease of the Chicago Skyway to foreign investors for $1.8 billion. Blago has seen dollar signs in his eyes, ever since, floating the idea of selling the Illinois Lottery as a financial source for "education". Now he's turning his sights to vending rights in... more ›

Food on a stick is better than food not on a stick, which is why the Illinois State Fair is introducing a new item at this year’s fair: eggs on a stick. more ›

First, a correction: Earlier this month, Chicagoist suggested that some of the bands scheduled to play Taste of Chicago were one or two years away from playing a state fair. In Lynyrd Skynyrd’s case, we were incorrect. Lynyrd Skynyrd will be playing the Illinois State Fair this year. more ›

If serenading sows or crooning to cows sounds to you like a sweet summer gig, Illinois State Fair organizers want to talk to you. But sorry sellouts, they can't pay you. more ›