21-year-old Krista Phillips of Effingham County was selected from a field of 75 contestants Sunday evening as the 68th Miss Illinois County Fair Queen and will reign over the 2026 Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Phillips was chosen during the final day of the 115th Annual Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield.
Krista will graduate from the University of Illinois-Champaign in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing. She plans to return to the Effingham area to pursue her dream of opening a small business and giving back to the community.
Riley McDermott of Monroe County was named the first runner up, Bella Evans of Morgan County was named second runner up, Ruby Mulvaney of Ogle County was named third runner up, and Laney York of White County was named fourth runner up. Rae Stucki of Iroquois County was a top 16 finalist.
Earlier at the IAAF annual convention, Talent Show winners were chosen. In the senior division, third place went to Isa Pina of Iroquois County with a vocal solo.
