Gov. Bruce Rauner is the proud owner, once again, of a prize-winning steer after offering the top bid for it Tuesday at Illinois State Fair.
Rauner ponied up $60,000 for Taco, the grand champion steer, a fair spokeswoman said. It certainly wasn’t the highest winning bid the wealthy governor has made during the livestock auction at previous fairs.
Two years ago he dropped a record $104,000 on David L, a 1,324-pound crossbreed, at the fair in Springfield, topping the auction’s previous top purchase of $100,000.
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There were problems collecting the money for that record-breaking bid, the Tribune reported. One of the donors to Rauner’s winning bid, R.J. D’Orazio, initially refused to pay the $20,000 he committed because he believed he had not gotten sufficient recognition.
The prize cattle typically are slaughtered, and in the past the governor has donated the meat to the University of Illinois, according to reports. Proceeds of the sale this year will go to 4-H clubs, the Illinois Future Farmers of America and the individual exhibitor, according to a news release.
The governor also bought grand champion ice cream, flavored chihuahua cheese, brie cheese and honey during his day at the fair, the spokeswoman said.
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