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An overflow crowd packed into a Senate hearing room Monday to voice their opposition to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s plan to close the Illinois State Museum and related facilities because of the state’s budget impasse.

Their message was that closing the facilities is short-sighted, will not save the state much money and could lead to lawsuits and loss of accreditation for a nationally recognized institution.

“The administration says it will save $4.8 million,” said Guerry Suggs, chairman of the Illinois State Museum Board. “If we have a $4 billion budget hole, $4.8 million is a very tiny percentage.” […]

The museum is part of the Department of Natural Resources. Director Wayne Rosenthal told the commission that the museum is one of the only areas of DNR’s budget that has largely escaped spending cuts in recent years. DNR’s general funds budget — the amount that comes from general state taxes — has dropped from $167 million in 2002 to just $39 million now.

“We’ve taken cuts everywhere else, while the museum continues to grow,” Rosenthal said. “It was quite simply one of the few places where we could go.”

* The Question: Do you think the governor will do another “u-turn” and rescind this closure? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

panel management

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:37 pm

Comments

If for no other reason (and there are many other good reasons), the economic activity that the State Museum generates for Springfield and the State, may appeal to the business-minded Governor. So I voted yes.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:45 pm
He will stick to this cut because it doesnt leave people in need of medical or educational services to go without what they need. And its not a chicago museum and he has no real ties or vesture in springfield outside the mansion

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Voted “Yes”

“Why?”

===The administration says it will save $4.8 million,” said Guerry Suggs, chairman of the Illinois State Museum Board. “If we have a $4 billion budget hole, $4.8 million is a very tiny percentage.”===

Rauner couldn’t take the heat for $26 million, he can’t take this heat either.

Governors own, another fine example.

If Rauner wanted to own these and not rescind cuts like this and be the tough guy he wishes he was…

… then on a session day, in front if microphones, talking and owning these cuts as his and his alone as Governor… That would’ve happened.

“These are my choices, as Governor. I choose that the state museum should close. Here’s why I choosing. That is why I am doing it.”

Not even remotely close to that.

“Yes” is my vote.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Yes, of course.

Closing the 138-year-old Illinois State Museum in your first six months in office represents such a personal failure as to be beyond contemplation.

Every other governor since 1877 has been able to keep it open, through wars, Depressions, recessions — you can’t?

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Voted yes because I believe he’ll ride in on his white horse and make himself look like the hero for saving the museum.

Comment by Finally Out (and now very glad to be) Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:51 pm
Bcz he’s mr U-Turn

Comment by Austin Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:52 pm
OW…if I had a drink every time you claimed someone, typically Rauner, “owned” something, typically some cut(s), I’d be falling off my barstool nearly daily.
Give it a rest.

Comment by Wondering Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:52 pm
Voted Yes

I think he’ll portray himself as the hero in this drama.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:54 pm
Yes, anti union policies are the only non negotiable items.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:56 pm
yes, because he can’t “take the arrows.”

Comment by Homer J. Quinn Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 1:57 pm
- Wondering -,

Heck, the way things are going, I could take up a collection and get you a mattress to fall on off your barstool.

===I’d be falling off my barstool nearly daily.===

I’d suggest a Social Service program to help with your daily drinking, but Rauner will probably cut that program next, then try to blame Madigan.

Rest might help that daily drinking. Exercise. Poetry. Gardening…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:02 pm
I voted “yes” because the odds are always in favor of Rauner making a uey.

I am not, of course, precluding the possibility that he’ll then make yet another uey and end up where he started.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:02 pm
He will be forced to change his mind when everyone sees that it was a very poor decision. It can become a very large photo op for all his political enemies. Right next to the Capitol for all to see. Our abandoned state museum.

Slating it to close is a catastrophe, and whoever recommended doing it needs to be replaced. It is another one of his avoidable disasters.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:03 pm
Voted “No”. This is one of those cuts that will likely NOT have people marching in the streets or calling their state reps in a lather.

If we aren’t going to cut this, then where will we begin to make the cuts?

Comment by Downstate Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:05 pm
I voted yes. He could possibly freeze or even trim their budget some and still keep it open. Rauner gets greater theatrics out of closing it. He will then say it is Madigan’s fault. When that doesn’t fool anyone Rauner will put them back and cut something else.

Comment by DuPage Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Voted Yes

Because the threat of closure did not generate the desired effect.

Seething hatred towards MJM

A miscalculation in the direction of the political blame. A big ol’ superstars fail.

Comment by Pink E. Kent Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:06 pm
I dunno…seems to me one good way to raise revenue is to convince people (especially from outside Illinois) to come visit and leave their money behind. Closing all the things that people might want to come see makes it a hard sell. I didn’t vote, but would vote “Yes” because it makes business sense.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Hey Wayne. I like you a lot, you are the best DNR head in at least a dozen years, but try to stand up to this insanity of closing the museum. Voted yes BTW.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:08 pm
“OW… if I had a drink every time you claimed someone, typically Rauner, ‘owned’ something, typically some cut(s), I’d be falling off my barstool nearly daily.”

An inability to hold one’s liquor doesn’t in anyway refute Willy’s posts. Classic non sequitur.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:08 pm
Yes. Easy answer: cuz it’s the right thing to do.

Comment by Westward Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:14 pm
It seems that the Illinois State Museum, along with many of the other items on his list, were chosen specifically to use as some sort of strange leverage over legislators. Of course, the museum cannot be closed - and it is ridiculous to even suggest it! Funding will be restored.

Comment by Way South of I-80 Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:18 pm
I voted yes for more practical reasons: Closing a museum can often be a lot more expensive than keeping it open. Something to think about on the front end of the decision to open one.

Also, this is a good museum.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Just another shake up Springfield moment that they will re-consider after enough public outcry…

Comment by Rudykzooti Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:21 pm
I voted yes, it was my understanding that the museum doesn’t lose money. It is a great museum as well.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:24 pm
I didn’t vote because I honestly don’t have a clue as to what is going on in Rauner’s head, other than “I don’t like unions.”

Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:24 pm
Why not institute an OW Drinking Game? Every time he posts “owns it”, take a shot! 🍹

Comment by Gantt Chart Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:24 pm
Yes, because that’s the very definition of a ‘turnaround agenda’ — you continually turn around.

Comment by Not quite a majority Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:27 pm
“Drink responsibly”

That’s all I need… the Dept. of Alcohol and Substance Abuse coming to Oswego.

(Hat tip to - MrJM -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:28 pm
Yes.

To begin, the outdoorsmen of IL should have marched on Springfield protesting his stripping of any more funds from the IDNR after Rauner promoted himself as such a conservation minded candidate.

He has put Wayne Rosenthal in a very, very unenviable position by forcing this museum cut from his already meager budget. If Rosenthal was not such a party and Rauner yes man and if he really had the true interests of the people and the mission of IDNR at heart he should have openly rebelled against these ham handed cuts that a large majority of the people have opposed.

If Rauner and Rosenthal hold their guns on this the state legislature should remove the State Museum from IDNR, set it up independently and fund it with its own special dedicated fund that the governor can absolutely not sweep under any stretch of his executive power.

This cut was a gut punch to the people of Illinois. It should not stand.

Comment by vole Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:31 pm
=== think he’ll portray himself as the hero in this drama.

Except for a few political junkies out there, there are no heroes in this drama, or any other state political drama for that matter. In the general public’s eye, there are no degrees of separation between any of them. That’s why 13% of the people elect a governor in this state. The vast majority have simply abandoned any faith they may have once had in Illinois state government.

Comment by Menard Guy Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:36 pm
Do you think the governor will do another “u-turn” and rescind this closure?

Yes.

It’s exactly the kind of cut that makes him look like a failing governor to the other members of his social circle. And he has no stomach for their scorn.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Where is the vote for the tax increase to pay for all of this spending? Obviously no one really “owns this” because neither side will fund the budget appropriately.

No wonder people are disgusted with our government it is a disgrace

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Yes. I believe the logistics of shutting down the museum and associated venues are more than the Gov. has anticipated. There are approx. 13.5 million items that will need to be packed, stored and monitored at a yearly cost of at least $1.5M. The state will loose the national accreditation associated with the museum. Also, the state would face potential lawsuits from donors who gave items with the understanding that they would be displayed. The Gov. is not exactly a big thinker. As he told the WSJ- “I’ve been involved in a lot of turnarounds. A key lesson in a turnaround is go big, go strong, go fast, go early. You don’t wait around; you don’t think about it; you don’t wonder.” That’s our Gov. in a nutshell!

Comment by Former Hoosier Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:45 pm
Agree with “a guy” that a real and serious effort to close the museum would have resulted in a lot of costs up front to manage the collections and donor relationships, research, etc. I don’t believe that we can just put a white sheet over everything, lock the doors and turn out the lights and say good night Gracie.

Comment by Pawn Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 2:49 pm
= This is one of those cuts that will likely NOT have people marching in the streets or calling their state reps in a lather =
@Downstate, perhaps you are unaware of the petition with 10,000 signatures on it, the Save the Illinois State Museum Facebook page, and the public rally that will be held at the Capitol on July 21? And FYI, people have been calling their state reps for six weeks on this issue…
As to where to make the cuts, I’d say start with the six-figure salaries drawn by political appointees…

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:01 pm
I voted “no” but upon further consideration, I should have voted “yes.”

Comment by Flipper Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:05 pm
I really doubt Gen Rosenthal made this decision. I was top down driven, he is a good soldier and will carry the water up the hill. DNR has been hammered with cuts over the past decade and OUR public recreational facilities show it. Hopefully all this bloviating will end soon, the once great state of ILL and its elected leaders look foolish to the rest of the country. Travel anywhere and folks will say” Whats up with Illinois?” Make some cuts, pass some revenue bill and implement some new managment protocols. Time to move on for the good of the State and its Citizens.

Comment by the Cardinal Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:13 pm
Yes, of course.

He chose this in the first place as a political symbol, and when the message is no longer critical, the museum stays.

Comment by walker Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:16 pm
Voted yes. Closing the state museum is just about as smart as the feds closing the National Mall during the so-called federal government shut down.

Comment by The Unknown Poster Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:19 pm
I voted “Yes” because closing the wonderfully educational State Museum and its world-class staff is possibly the dopiest idea any governor has put forward in memory. At least one of the best and brightest already retired over this. If he had to close a museum, he should have closed down “Abe World” before all of the aging Disney special effects gadgetry punches another big budget hole. I am thinking Rauner will come to his senses over the damage he is causing by even threatening to close the State Museum.

Comment by Albatros Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:23 pm
Yes. Low information governor. Cut anything and everything. Then see who screams the loudest. He has to save himself from the crassness of doing a photo op w kids the day before it closed.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 3:29 pm
I voted yes, and when he reverses himself, he’ll publicly say it was because of the kids he met, who sent him that sweet note that Rich posted here a while back.

Privately he’ll sneer and mutter to himself: “and I’d have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for those meddling kids.”

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:01 pm
47, “Ol’ Man Rauner!”

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:07 pm
Voted yes, because he has a habit of flip flopping like a carp up on the bank.

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:30 pm
Oh no, how will we survive if we can’t look at dioramas and paperweights? Close it, pennys make dollars.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:41 pm
No. History/education/culture are wastes of “his” money.

Comment by Cheryl44 Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:43 pm
– Close it, pennys make dollars.–

How many pennies were in that $100 million in taxpayer dollars Rauner gave back in April to highly profitable EBay, CDW, CapitalOne and SAC Wireless?

You must have hit your head on something hard to think this action had anything to do with saving money or the budget.

The state museum was just another hostage put up against the wall and threatened by the governor in an attempt to get as ransom his non-budget reactionary agenda.

Where, oh where, do some of you get the idea that the governor is about cutting spending? All he talks about whenever he emerges from the bunker is how anxious he is to raise taxes.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 4:55 pm
A few well connected GOPers wives are employed there…I’ d be surprised if he makes this stick…

It’s the only decent science Museum south of I - 80…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 5:00 pm
I voted yes on a u turn because I can’t make myself believe Rauner would really show up for a photo op with kids at the museum and then shutter it. The kids he was in the photo with were attending one of Springfield’s best summer programs. We don’t have the choices here that his kids had in Chicago. He obviously doesn’t get that Springfield can’t afford losses like this. When my Chicago friends visit with their families, IL State Museum is always right up there with the Lincoln Museum in my recommendations . The museum and its playroom, weekly FREE summer educational movie series, unique classes, and amazing gift shop can’t be replaced. I’m going to go with my inner optimist here against all the evidence and think he’ll come to his senses on this one.

Comment by Itsmyopinion Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 5:01 pm
Former Hoosier, excellent points…in 4 years the cost of the museum is 6 mil! Governor R-not-thinking will rescind this cut.

Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 5:07 pm
I’m don’t think Rauner is smart enough to realize that Mickey Mouse cuts like this are just DUMB.

Comment by Buster Tuesday, Jul 14, 15 @ 5:51 pm
The IL State Museum has legislative authority to charge admission; if it does so, it will hardly cost the State any money to sustain.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 15, 15 @ 11:15 am