New manager of the Illinois State Fair

Posted on January 4, 2022
Rebecca Clark, who has been spokeswoman for two state agencies after a career in television news, succeeds the twice-retired Kevin Gordon. (Facebook/Illinois State Fair)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – A self-described farm girl who used to be spokeswoman for the Illinois State Fair is making a return – as fair manager.

Rebecca Clark, who has been spokeswoman for two state agencies after a career in television news, succeeds the twice-retired Kevin Gordon.

In an interview Monday, Clark mentioned more than once her status as a mother of four, revealing a priority that she hopes defines her tenure: safe, affordable, family-friendly fun.

As only the second woman to hold the manager’s job, “I’m so excited to be able to show my daughters that you can be a successful working mom.”

While it would take a wide radius to bring a large fair turnout to Springfield, Clark mentioned Georgia and Ohio as states whose fairs she would like Illinois to compare to and learn from.

Clark said she is eager to get started and see what the “amazing” fairgrounds staff has done so far to build the 2022 fair, as well as to manage what is billed as a year-round venue.

This year’s fair is Aug. 11-21.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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