SPRINGFIELD - Fun at the state's two fairgrounds cost Illinoisans more than just the price of admission last year.

In a report issued Thursday, Illinois Auditor General William Holland said the 2007 fair in Springfield cost taxpayers more than $3.4 million.

The Du Quoin State Fair also exceeded revenues by more than $900,000 in 2007 and nearly $940,000 in 2006.

Although the Illinois Department of Agriculture won't dispute the audit's findings, officials claim the deficit at the state fairgrounds in Springfield is inflated by the approximately $2.6 million spent of maintaining the facility during the 354 days out of the year the grounds are not hosting the state fair.

Documents in the audit dispute the department's claim, citing information produced by the very same agency.

The audit states that the expenses for site maintenance and upkeep are for only those 10 days of the fair.

"Revenue and expenditures for non-fair activities held at the State fairgrounds are excluded�even though both fair and non-fair activities are appropriated and expended within the same fund," the audit notes.

Even without the cost for upkeep, the state fair is still approximately $800,000 over budget.

Ag spokesman Jeff Squibb says the purpose of the fair is not to make a buck for the state, but to showcase the state's agricultural assets.

"Certainly we would like it to (pay for itself), but we don't believe that the purpose of the fair is to make a profit," said Squibb. "I think you need to consider the return the state gets for its investment in the fair."

The report also said the fair "did not have adequate controls over gate and parking admissions," and "did not perform adequate procedures to ensure that all leases for space were properly enforced and that all space rental permits were properly displayed."