Governor Pritzker has been busy this month canceling events important to southern Illinois. It began on June 12th with the cancellation of the Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs this year. Followed by Monday’s announcement to cancel the 121st Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, traditionally held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex (WSRC) in Sparta. The Governor and state agencies say they canceled these events due to public health concerns related to the coronavirus.
“I’m very disappointed in the Governor Pritzker’s decision to cancel the State Fairs and the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships this year,” said Rep. Meier. These events are important to agriculture, sportsmen, and the economy. These events are primarily held outdoors and should not have been canceled.”
According to the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, annually held in Sparta, IL at the World Shooting & Recreational Complex, is the largest shooting event of its kind. Spanning several days with more than 20 events shooters from all over the globe come to compete in hopes of claiming one of the available prestigious titles such as “Clay Target Champion”.
Rep. Meier added, “The Grand American World Trapshooting Championships is one of Southern Illinois’ largest, attracting attendees from all over the world. The cancellation of the event in Sparta severely impacts the hotels and restaurants within at least a 45-mile radius. This is another punch to the gut to all of these businesses impacted by the coronavirus. The Governor needs to reverse course and reopen our state today, not keep it closed.”