The 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair queen Pageant wrapped up this past weekend in Springfield.
There were 75 reigning county fair queens from across the state taking part in the competition, including Miss Lawrence County Ella Benson.
She was not selected by the judges for the top 16. The new Miss Illinois is from southeastern Illinois--Krista Phillips from Effingham County. First runner-up was Riley McDermott of Monroe County, second runner-up was Bella Evans of Morgan County, third runner-up Ruby Mulvaney of Ogle County and fourth runner-up Laney York from White County in southeastern Illinois.
The People's Choice Award winner was Maggie Wankel from Menard County.
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