SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An unusual ending to the Illinois State Fair livestock auction allowed more money to go to the winners.
After a night of bidding on other champion animals and commodities, Illinois Department of Agriculture director Jerry Costello announced Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mrs. M.K. Pritzker have donated $105,000 for the champion, “Bill,” and that anyone can make contributions that will be divided among all grand champions.
"These exhibitors are the future of agriculture in our state and represent the best of the best," said Costello in a statement. "The Sale of Champions is the cherry on top of the Illinois State Fair. To see our youth in agriculture rewarded for the work that they put into these animals is my favorite aspect of the Illinois State Fair."
Kashen Ellerbrock, a Kewanee High School student who showed the champion steer, is actually from a family of sheep farmers.
"It all started when my mom bought a calf online about six years ago and we became addicted to it and we've been working to this point ever since," he said.
“Bill" will go to Feeding Illinois and end up on grills and dinner plates all over Illinois via food banks.
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