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* 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.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:06 am

Comments

I agree with Justin in article, it is a big deal. The IHPA should be applauded, as should the staff.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:16 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.

Comment by DuPage Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:35 am
Funny how that happened. The cynic in me might say the initial cutbacks were for leverage purposes.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:37 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.

Comment by JoanP Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:53 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.

Comment by JoanP Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 11:54 am
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.

Comment by retired guy Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 12:38 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.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 12:39 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.

Comment by cover Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 1:43 pm
The Old State Capitol and Dana-Thomas House being open doesn’t mean anything else in downtown Springfield will be open Sunday.

Comment by Dead Head Friday, Jul 8, 16 @ 3:53 pm

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