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IDEC Agency News – Monday, August 24, 2026
IDEC Recaps Debut at Illinois State Fair Experience in Springfield
Looking back at the people, conversations, and moments that made IDEC’s first State Fair one to remember.
The sounds of the midway, the smell of fair food, live music, families exploring throughout, and plenty summer sunshine - the Illinois State Fair was a time IDEC won’t soon forget.
For the first time, IDEC joined the First Lady’s Tent at the fairgrounds as Illinois’ newest state agency, welcoming families, providers, partners and visitors from across the state to our booth.
Over the course of the fair, our booth became a place to stop, connect, and learn. Staff met parents looking for resources, early childhood professionals sharing their experiences, and an entire community ready to share their wishes for early childhood in Illinois.
“Being at the Illinois State Fair in our first year is a meaningful opportunity to connect directly with families and providers,” said IDEC Secretary Teresa Ramos. “We want IDEC to be a familiar, trusted presence across Illinois and a place people know they can turn to for information, resources, and support."
And because every new beginning deserves a celebration, our booth featured a birthday cake in honor of IDEC’s first year as a state agency. We invited fairgoers of all ages to add a candle to the cake and share a wish for early childhood in Illinois. Throughout the fair, the cake filled with colorful, heartfelt wishes - from puppies to more resources for children, to hopes for continuing to keep children safe. Regardless of the wish, watching visitors place their candles on the cake gave a meaningful glimpse into what people throughout Illinois hope for young children and families.
“The Illinois State Fair gave us a wonderful opportunity to connect directly with families and providers from all over the state,” said Paige Greenwood, Director of Engagement at IDEC. “Those conversations help us better understand what people need and build a more welcoming and responsive early childhood system.”
As the booths come down, we’re looking back at our first fair experience with a lot of gratitude and a lot of excitement for what comes next.
Enjoy the photos and videos below from IDEC’s first Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
Thanks for making memories with us in Springfield, we’ll see you next year!
Our fair fun isn’t over yet! IDEC is headed to the Du Quoin State Fair from August 28 through September 7. Stop by our booth inside the Governor’s tent and help keep the celebration going
More IDEC Photos from the First Lady's Tent
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- Staff
- More wishes
- Fair Garden
- IDEC banner with staff
- More IDEC Staff
- Child writing a wish for the cake
- IDEC birthday cake