Shorter Operating Hours at State Historic Sites

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency has announced it will reduce operations at 13 historic sites around the state. Budget reductions have led to the changes. Many sites will be closed one extra day each week after Labor Day.

The budget approved in May cuts the funds available to operate historic sites by $1.1 million, which is a 19% reduction in funds.

Historic Preservation says the moves won't completely balance the agency budget. The move is designed to hold things over until the fall legislative session, when an effort will be made to restore funding to last year's levels.

In this region, Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site near Charleston will operate four days a week, Thursday through Sunday, instead of five, beginning October 1. The Vandalia Statehouse will operate four days a week, Wednesday through Saturday, instead of five, beginning November 1.