Come Work With Us

​​​​Summer Employment

The Department of Agriculture is NOT accepting applications for summer employment at this tiime. Please check back at a later date for the links below to be  activated for online only applications. 

Volunteer

The Illinois State Fair utilizes volunteers to help staff information booths during the 11-days of the fair.  You can volunteer three days or all ten days.

• The 2026 Illinois State Fair will be held August 13th-23rd.
  
• Volunteers will be needed in several areas including;
  • Information Booths: Staff information booth; assist fair-goers. 
    • Six Information Booths are located at the Illinois State Fair. Information booths are conveniently located across from the north end of the Grandstand, on Main Street at the four-way stop, on the infield just outside the pedestrian tunnel, at the three way stop near the Livestock Center at the end of Central Avenue, Gate 2 at Peoria Rd and Sangamon Avenue and near the entrance of the Main Gate. 
    • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. - 8 p.m.
      
  • Office assistant in the Emerson Building in the State Fair office. 
    • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Floaters; Upon arrival for volunteer assignment, assist where needed.
  • Exposition Building: Greet fair-goers and provide daily schedules. 
    • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Greeters at gates 1 and 2 (Sangamon Ave). 
    • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. or 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

• Minimum of 15 hours of total time needed from volunteers. Of course, you can volunteer for additional hours.
• Free State Fair T-shirt, free admission and parking.
• Training workshop to be held prior to the fair at the Emerson Building (not mandatory, about 1 hour)
  
• A Volunteer Application Form will be  available at a later date.

• For additional information or questions, please contact the Special Events Office at 217-782-0777.