Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: CREW files complaints against two “dark money” groups that have benefitted Rauner
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in…
Posted in:
* Finke…
The Illinois State Museum in Springfield is on track to reopen in early July after a legislative panel Tuesday approved a proposal to allow it to charge an admission fee.
The bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules voted to allow the Department of Natural Resources to go ahead with the admission fee that Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration said is necessary for the museum to reopen. The panel did not discuss the issue before voting on it.
DNR said it will charge a $5-per-person entrance fee to the museum, which previously was open free to the public. Children under age 18, seniors and veterans would still get in for free.
DNR previously said that if JCAR allowed it to begin charging the admission fee, the museum would reopen July 2.
I’ve never quite understood why the Rauner administration felt the need to shut down the museum and effectively shoo off so many knowledgeable employees. All over the right to impose a $5 entrance fee?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:18 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: CREW files complaints against two “dark money” groups that have benefitted Rauner
Next Post: *** UPDATED x1 *** SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - This just in…
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
“I never quite understood”….that could be an opening line for discussing a myriad of Rauner’s decisions.
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:21 am
C’mon Rich, he’s Shakin’ up Springfield!
Comment by truthteller Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:21 am
===I’ve never quite understood why the Rauner administration felt the need to shut down the museum and effectively shoo off so many knowledgeable employees.===
Not unlike how he wants to shut down the state and shoo off so many knowledgeable state workers. I really don’t think he values the knowledge and experience of anyone except those who work for him directly.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:26 am
—
I’ve never quite understood why the Rauner administration felt the need to shut down the museum and effectively shoo off so many knowledgeable employees.
—
Because they had absolutely no idea what they were doing. It was a Friday afternoon 3pm announcement, right?
It was the start of their “forcing a crisis to create leverage.” They assumed “Madigan” — the mythical reason why nothing can get done — would capitulate on what was then the shiny and fresh “Turnaround Agenda” and not let the closing happen.
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:26 am
Bulls eye Rich. Why indeed? I chalk it up to bumbling policy staff who are just trying to make a point that there needs to be “profit” in everything. No more socialistic institutions who would give citizens something for “free”.
I used to work in hospice with an old male hospice nurse. He was a LDH, Latter Day Hippie with a ponytail and bad smoking habit. His favorite thing to say was “It’s all about Empire man, all about Empire.”
When I get that age I’m gonna say incessantly “It’s all about profit man, all about profit”
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:28 am
=Not unlike how he wants to shut down the state and shoo off so many knowledgeable state workers.=
If they’re tier I, he likely would see that as a good thing.
Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:29 am
“Put the State Museum on sound financial footing by employing good business principles…”….opening voice over in the first wave re-election TV/radio spots.
Comment by Lenny Bruce Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:29 am
Because if you partake of such things you are a taker and not a taxpayer. Even if you do pay taxes.
Comment by Union thug Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:30 am
Can they impose and collect a fee without GA approval? If we could just set fees via JCAR then there wouldn’t be any need for tough votes! Hey, that’s an idea.
Comment by Simone Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:30 am
Because of Madigan and the museums he controls.
Rauner sure is a shrewd business guy…let me do the math…$5 x 200,000 = ….wow, all that so you can collect a cool $1 million from school children and those die-hard Lincoln fans.
Keep up the great work Guv!
Comment by Under Influenced Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:33 am
Because it was never about imposing a fee, it was about closing something high profile in one of his many attempts to pressure Dems to bow to his Turnaround Agenda. Once it didn’t work, he was stuck, and needed to find a face saving way to back down.
Fortunately, he was able to negotiate a great deal with himself to get the Museum back open. A “heroic” effort…
Comment by ILPundit Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:35 am
Does this come in time to salvage the museum’s accreditation?
Comment by olddog Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:37 am
Leverage.
Brought to you by “heroic” superstars.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:37 am
IL pundit nailed it.
Comment by unspun Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:37 am
Anyone else simply happy that it’s reopening? That’s where I am here.
I’d suggest that the age of 14 and under should be free, not 18. If this is partly about money, I’d limit the freebies to seniors, veterans and grade school or younger.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:38 am
Um, Under Influenced, did you read the part about not charging children under 18? So, school children would not be part of that cool million.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:38 am
I wonder if Rauner contemplated a surcharge for unionized school teachers. /s
Comment by AC Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:39 am
I have no idea why he did it, but as a society we need to examine the seniors free approach to museums generally and other attractions, like movies.
I guess it’s the same antiquated thinking that brings us no Illinois state taxes on retirement income. Hello. Not only are there many, many well-off seniors, but as a demographic, US seniors are doing better than many other groups economically. This is, of course, partly due to the work of progressives in the early and mid 20th, those who brought us Medicare and Social Security. Maybe it’s time to expand and enrich those federal benefits for all citizens. But in the meantime-reduced admission fees to government and nonprofit attractions should be based on actual need.
Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:41 am
The original shutdown (Sept 2015) was due to the 7 plus billion dollar state budget deficit; the $5 fee was a later negotiated effort offered in February 2016 to find a middle ground between offering state services while also ensuring that the museums try to cover their operating costs.
Comment by Susan B. Anthony Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:42 am
== Does this come in time to salvage the museum’s accreditation? ==
Maybe not, because the knowledgeable people they need are mostly gone.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:43 am
@A guy
Who isn’t happy that it’s reopening? You know, except for the guy you shill for….
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:45 am
BTW — this was the start of Rauner’s heroics.
It was heroic to re-open something that he closed down.
Breathtaking and staggering. Sheer genius. An absolute, absolute act of true political heroism. Let’s see Edgar top this one!
Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:45 am
== Anyone else simply happy that it’s reopening? That’s where I am here. ==
Yes, I’m happy that it’s reopening.
It *does*, however, underscore the larger point that ILpundit made — it was a high profile hostage — and reminds us that it never needed to be closed in the first place.
Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:45 am
“State officials hope that getting the museum reopened by July 2 will allow it to be open enough hours this year to keep its accreditation. The Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums put the facility on probation last year after it was closed.”
http://www.sj-r.com/news/20160614/panel-oks-5-illinois-state-museum-admission-fee-july-2-remains-target-reopening-date
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:46 am
Sad to see the fee imposed. $5 per adult is a lot for parents making minimum wage or just above it.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:46 am
I saw the administrations viewpoint on this issue as mostly symbolic, in that it was an example of the State giving away a service and funding it through GRF. I honestly was surprised to learn the museum was free of charge. A nominal fee seems appropriate. What is not appropriate though is the way the administration made it happen.
Comment by Not It Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:47 am
So - if under 18 gets in free, as well as Veterans and Seniors, how much money will be generated by others not in those groups? How many billions of dollars will be added thanks to the admission fee?
Comment by DrMark Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:49 am
=== Anyone else simply happy that it’s reopening? That’s where I am here. ===
That’s just dumb. Yes, let’s express our eternal gratitude for re-opening a respected institution doing good work that should never have been closed…much less decimated. Sheeez.
Comment by Unbelievable Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:49 am
Good news for Springfield, just in time for the tourist season. However, the other communities that have part of the overall state museum complex are still hostages…
http://www.museum.state.il.us/ismsites/dickson/
Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:52 am
=why the Rauner administration felt the need to shut down the museum and effectively shoo off so many knowledgeable employees.=
That was exactly the purpose. Rauner’s plan to reduce the pension obligation, as shown by this on a smaller scale and the AFSCME battle on the larger scale, is to get as many Tier I employees off the payroll as possible. That it hurts Illinois citizens, makes state services worse, and completely upends the lives of state workers and their families is simply a cost Rauner is willing to “impose” (not pay).
Comment by Concerned Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:55 am
Yeah, I’m always “just happy” when people make nonsense decisions for no apparent reason, damage the quality of an institution, then reverse the decision after a year for a face saving token.
Ecstatic may be the better word. What a joke.
Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:56 am
An admission fee? Ridiculous!
Comment by Federalist Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:01 am
According to IPI, the closure was caused by the Edgar Ramp.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:09 am
RNUG -
From the bill’s sponsor, Senator Andy Manar: “The concept is to try to take a piece of what we passed and what the governor needs in an attempt to force a reopening of the State Museum. An issue not talked about is the dire need for the State Museum to be open so it can fulfill its accreditation requirement, which I’m told will be in danger of not happening in the next few weeks.”
The museum must be opened for 1,000 hours in 2016 to receive accreditation.
Comment by BBG Watch Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:09 am
ILPundit @ 9:35 am +1
A guy comment reminds me of the bully who stops hitting his victim and then asks him if he feels better now. This was an unnecessary action taken for political purposes which has damaged the institution now.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:10 am
Clever heroic superstar releases a hostage will a ransom fee imposed
Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:10 am
I didn’t realize that so many people cared about the ISM until the Governor closed it. Seemed to me that prior to the closure, it wasn’t really a main attraction in Springfield or something most paid any attention too. It was more of a way to be against the Governor on another issue. I’m glad it is reopening with a fee. The fee should have been initiated years ago.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:10 am
- Formerly Known as Frenchie M @ 9:26 am: –
+1
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:11 am
- Concerned - Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:55 am:
+1
Comment by Jimmy H Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:15 am
- BBG Watch -
Thanks for the quote
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:19 am
==”The Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums put the facility on probation last year after it was closed.”==
Rauner should have reopened the museum before it was put on probation last year. Rauner’s TA demands are the only reason the museum closed.
Plus the $5 fee for people between 19 & 65 will never pay for the cost operations.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:19 am
Only parts of the museum are reopening. The galleries in Chicago, Lockport, and Rend Lake will remain closed. As I understand it, the admission fee will be only at the main Springfield museum. The Dixon Mounds facility will still be free.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:26 am
Cassandra - how are you going to determine actual need? Have the IRS send a card out every tax year so you can prove you’re needy? Do you carry your bank statements to prove it? How then are you going to enforce your definition of actual need?
Comment by ANONIME Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:26 am
==I didn’t realize that so many people cared about the ISM until the Governor closed it.==
Of course you didn’t. It was open…people don’t complain when things are operating as they should, eh?
Comment by Under Influenced Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:28 am
Sorry, Dickson Mounds.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:28 am
No Susan B. Anthony. The IL State Museum had legislative authority to charge fees years ago, but did not do so. The current budget crisis will not be helped. Since most visitors are children, the new fee structure will do little to cover museum costs. Logic?
Comment by Old Dinah Sour Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 10:42 am
Hmmmmmm, let me guess. Those knowledgable people who left were being paid too much anyway (and weren’t in the union so they had to seek work elsewhere) and fortunately some of the ones who stayed and got paid during the closing were in the Union and were protected. Why isn’t the press talking about this? Sheesh.
Comment by Ms. SHEESH Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 1:14 pm
==- A guy - Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 9:38 am:==
I’m sure you’d be “simply happy” if you were skinned down to a skeleton state too. *eye roll*
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 5:08 pm
All but one of the Admin staff who were terminated were Tier 1 and either eligible to retire immediately or in a few years. They were also the ones who brought in the big and very prestigious grants. Not much savings and a huge brain drain.
Comment by Artifact Thursday, Jun 16, 16 @ 6:25 pm