I reached out personally to a contact at the Illinois Association of County Fairs to protest their decision to relieve Alexi Bladel of Rockford of her duties as Miss Illinois County Fair Queen.

Though the organization denies it, Alexi’s family has said the decision was based on their daughter’s decision to join the U.S. Army Reserve. If in fact that is the reason, it sends a terrible message.

We encourage our best young men and women to serve our country in the active military as well as the Guard and Reserve. We ask their families and employers to support their decision by accommodating the demands of being in our military.

The Illinois County Fairs Association should not penalize Alexi for her selfless decision, but congratulate and support her. I call on the Association to reinstate Alexi as Queen and publicly thank her for her decision to serve our country.

Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Springfield, represents the state of Illinois in the U.S. Senate.