Better, smarter government at no extra cost
Friday, Jul 8, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* More like this, please…
The Old State Capitol, Dana-Thomas House and Lincoln’s New Salem state historic sites will soon expand hours to seven days a week, the Illinois Historical Preservation Agency announced Thursday.
Because of budget cuts, the three sites had been operating four or five days a week.
Justin Blandford, superintendent of state historic sites in Springfield, called it “a really big deal.” Blandford said he has a staff of 10 people who manage the local sites.
“We’re not getting any more funding,” he said, noting that the move is independent of the six-month state budget agreement that was reached by the governor and legislature last week. “It’s about management of our cultural resources and efficiency.”
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:16 am:
I agree with Justin in article, it is a big deal. The IHPA should be applauded, as should the staff.
- DuPage - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:35 am:
Exactly how are they doing this? More part-timers and fewer full-timers? Free or stipend paid summer interns? Sites manned by fewer workers on slow days and more on busy days? (coordinate days off with the slow days)? More details, please, Justin.
- Norseman - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:37 am:
Funny how that happened. The cynic in me might say the initial cutbacks were for leverage purposes.
- JoanP - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:53 am:
I’m very glad to hear this, but, like DuPage, I’m curious how they are able to do this with no additional funding.
- JoanP - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:54 am:
Okay, ignore my last.
It’s”the result of adjusting schedules to use staff more effectively, filling of vacant jobs, bringing in temporary employees and generous volunteers.”
I really should learn to click links before commenting.
- retired guy - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 12:38 pm:
Did anyone comment on my question regarding combining the Comptroller’s Office with the Treasurer’s office yesterday? Sure seemed that was a big thing when the new Comptroller took over.
- Arthur Andersen - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
Good things can happen when you don’t have the Hatfields and the McCoys running the operations at IHPA and ALPLM.
Well done, folks.
- cover - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
= Did anyone comment on my question regarding combining the Comptroller’s Office with the Treasurer’s office yesterday? =
I did not, but I believe that as long as there is a certain powerful legislator who remembers Orville Hodge, any constitutional amendment proposal to merge the offices isn’t going anywhere.
- Dead Head - Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 3:53 pm:
The Old State Capitol and Dana-Thomas House being open doesn’t mean anything else in downtown Springfield will be open Sunday.