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* UPDATED x2 * Bill to save state museum heads to governor

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* From the synopsis of SB 317…

Provides that the State shall operate an Illinois State Museum in Springfield and at branch sites at Dickson Mounds, Lockport, Rend Lake, and the James R. Thompson Center. Provides that the Illinois State Museum and all branch sites shall be open to the public. Provides that the Illinois State Museum shall operate a Research and Collections Center to research, preserve, and maintain access to the extensive Illinois State Museum collections. Effective immediately.

The bill passed the Senate with 40 votes (Republican Sam McCann joined with the Democrats) and passed the House yesterday with 82 votes, including these Republicans…

Bourne, Bryant, Butler, Davidsmeyer, Hammond, David Harris, Kay, Bill Mitchell, Moffitt, Poe, Pritchard, Unes

Rep. Dunkin also voted for it.

This looks like the governor lifted the brick. I’ve asked the administration for comment. We’ll see.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From Lance Trover…

Under review

*** UPDATE 2 *** Press release…

State Senator Andy Manar’s proposal to reopen the Illinois State Museum system received veto-proof support from lawmakers in their efforts to undo the governor’s closings.

Manar (D-Bunker Hill) introduced Senate Bill 317 in July to guarantee that the State Museum in Springfield –and its four branch sites—stay open.

The Senate approved the legislation in August. The House approved it Tuesday. Both the House and Senate approved it with bipartisan, veto-proof majorities. The legislation now goes to the governor.

Manar issued the following statement:

“The State Museum is a vital educational and cultural institution and should remain open. The success of this legislation is a credit to the work of every ISM supporter who made the case and showed how important this institution truly is.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 9:42 am

Comments

If Ken Dunkin voted for it…

Two things I now know;

1) The Owl Sandack will give the Raunerite version of things.

2) Ken Dunkin dictates the next move on any legislation that gets to Rauner’s desk.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:05 am
This is progress but unfortunately major damage has been done. The top staff are gone (retired), donors will think twice before giving and certification is not a given.

All to make some as yet unknown point.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:18 am
Undoing an obvious mistake that made him look foolish.

Yet there are other moves this week that are true compromise.

Good

Comment by walker Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:20 am
The brick that is being lifted is the weight of public opinion on Rauner’s shoulders. There are few people besides the Governor himself who thought closing the museum was a good idea. Just as overwhelming public sentiment was to not cut childcare, to pay lottery winners, and give local governments the money they are owed. These are healthy doses of reality, but obviously not enough for our delusional Governor. Rauner needs some booster shots to get him to back away from the rest of his agenda.

Comment by Truthteller Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:27 am
===Under review===

The ruling on the field has been overturned. The governor bobbled the ball as he fell out of bounds. 4th down.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:27 am
LOL Ducky

Comment by Gumby Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:40 am
“We had a bunch of Raunerite GOP members who were going to pummeled in the next election over this symbolic small budget cut, so we let it go.” Lance

“LANCE, you’re not supposed to give them the real reason. Use the weasel word book.” Schrimpf

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:43 am
Is the state ready to start paying health insurers for state employees now? This is a major source of anxiety for people facing major surgery or those battling chronic illnesses that require expensive treatments.

Let’s clean up the various messes this administration created asap, and then get on to addressing the serious problems that it inherited.

Comment by X-prof Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:49 am
The move against the state museum has always seemed the dumbest and most anti-Springfield move taken by the Rauner team. No upside at all, no public support. A real head-scratcher.

I mean, who put this on the list of “shaking up Springfield” actions? Geez…

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:50 am
Good. $?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 10:55 am
The ISM Museum system is a true asset that provides scientific research opportunity, educational outreach, and a platform for Illinois artists to exhibit their work across the state. Using ANY metrics, the ISM system adds value to the state and beyond.

Comment by arteeeeest Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:04 am
Now need to find a home for ISM outside IDNR.

Comment by Vole Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:38 am
Once again-how much did the original closure save and where are our political masters going to go to replace those purported savings? Is the state treasury experiencing improved revenues? If not, how much are all these executive changes going to cost us in tax increases. Income tax increases, the ones that fall most heavily on the middle class in Illinois, given Illinois’ regressive tax structure.

Rauner was elected a year ago this month. He has been in office almost 25% of his current term.
If a business approach and trickle-down economics work, shouldn’t we be seeing at least a bit of improvement in tax revenues by now. We can’t give him forever. Or waa the plan all along to get a lot more money from taxpayers-after a season of dramatic theater followed by a not mea culpa.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:49 am
This is not a solution nor even a meaningful part of a solution. It is the problem. I love the museums but there are issues far more significant to business and citizens. Operating a museum without a budget is still wrong.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 11:58 am
A silly hostage, unless the governor wanted a personal and prominent monument to his willful sabotage.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:07 pm
Well, I suppose Rauner could still take the makeup monies out of the state bureaucracy-union negotiations aren’t over yet. Or out of social service contracts, still uncertain as to amounts. Or he could borrow-a lot. Wasn’t Blago a big borrower? Remember all that borrowing to pay the pension fund. Didn’t work, but hey. the political masters of the day bought right in.
And in the end, there’s always the peasants, uh, the taxpayers.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:24 pm
Sorry, Manar (and ISM employees), this museum is not “vital” to anything. Precious few care if it stays open.

Comment by phocion Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:44 pm
This museum Complex (just a reminder to those who do not see worth) is more than the site in Springfield. Over and over in past threads, the true dollar worth of the Complex has been outlined. For those who feel $4.5 million is such a waste, then you are also willing to throw away ALL the dollars in tourism, research monies, private donations, and the like because it’s just an “attic” to be sold off. One person, not sure if it was on this site or a newspaper site, said they had been there and there wasn’t much to see. My response- eyes wide shut.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Talk about silly, shut down the World a Shooting Complex, yet still paying workers.

Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 1:59 pm
Others’ views on why the Museums are important to The People of Illinois-

http://cgfa.ilga.gov/upload/ILStateMuseumFacClosPublicComments.pdf

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 2:07 pm
Phocion,
OK, but why lock out the public from a fully staffed museum?

The museum staff is still there. So are the exhibits. It’s just no one can go in. The museum was free. So how is that savings let alone wise management?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 2:21 pm
@ Cassandra — Closing ISM was never about saving money and improving the state’s business climate. The cost-benefit analyses presented to the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability demonstrated that conclusively.

Comment by olddog Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 2:52 pm
You may be right, Olddog. And perhaps this museum is completely self-supporting. But saved museum or not, the basic problem remains. We have to cut something, unless our political masters and lots of media folks have been lying all along, and there is plenty of money. Unlikely. So, who pays? The unions? The social service providers? The middle class and the poor, in a state with a regressive income tax structure? The latter ensures that we know who won’t be paying,as both parties, not just the guv,, seem eminently comfortable with regressive taxation.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 5:26 pm
I used to internal audit the museums and historic sites. Very conscientious people and always understaffed. Doing the amazing with next to nothing, always thrown under the bus on available resources. I also audited the competitive state grant program that awards money for exhibits at other museums statewide, from itty bitty to giant Chicago. Good program and monitored closely by the State museum folks, i even tweaked it for them a bit and they were thrilled with the new ideas. Ive even audited their payroll. Good people and totally worthwhile for Illinois. Sad that this happened to them, they did not deserve the disdain. True sevants of Illinois.

Comment by internal angel Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 6:10 pm
My perdonal favorite site is Dickson Mounds. Thats a WOW display and presentation and scenic view on top of the hill.

Comment by internal angel Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 6:13 pm
So, Cassandra, based on the figures presented by the Commission, do we cut the ISM? Yes or no. If no, then please stop using it as a piñata.

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Nov 11, 15 @ 6:46 pm
WHAT? No one voted “present”?

Comment by Late to the Party Thursday, Nov 12, 15 @ 7:50 am