MARION (WSIL) -- The Miss Illinois 2020 competition has been delayed to next year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The competition was set to take place in June at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.
Last week, the Miss America Organization announced its Miss America 2021 competition slated for December would be delayed. States were advised to postpone their qualifying competitions as well.
"We as a board support Miss America's decision to postpone the state and national programs for the year. We believe that this will give us a better opportunity to plan a program for our participants that is worthy of their efforts as local contestants. We want the candidates to get the full Miss Illinois experience, but above all else, we want to ensure the safety of all involved and the public. When I told the contestants about the postponement, I was overwhelmed by how well they took the news. The young women who represent our program throughout Illinois embody strength and resilience."says Ashley Hatfield, director of the Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization.
Ariel Beverly, who was crowned Miss Illinois 2019 in Marion last June, will continue her reign as Miss Illinois until next year's event which is now scheduled for June 14-19, 2021.
The Miss Illinois Scholarship Organization says the winners of regional contests held earlier this year will still get an opportunity to compete for the Miss Illinois crown in 2021.
