Folks Aren't Happy About Lincoln Cuts

Illinois is facing a $2 billion dollar budget deficit and the governor has slashed the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency's (IHPA) by $2.3 million, resulting in the firing of almost all seasonal workers across the street, and especially at the Lincoln sites around Springfield.

Rumors have it that full-time employees are also on the block in the near future. Employees have been warned against talking about it, but the numerous volunteers have much to say, mostly negative.

Hours at all sites have also been cut, as will upkeep on the grounds.

This will not affect the Lincoln home, which is under the National Park Service's operation.

Perhaps the gov should use some of the money he uses to fly back and forth from Chicago to Springfield to offset this important source of revenue. Can you believe that he chooses to live in Chicago despite having a perfectly nice governor's mansion to live in? Plus, I have to wonder about anybody who would rather live in Chicago when you have that great town of Springfield.


CUTTING DEEP...AND AT A REAL BAD TIME

I should mention that these cuts are affecting all state sites in Illinois, not just the Lincoln ones. What makes the Lincoln cuts even harder to take is that we are coming up on the big celebration of his bicentennial birthday next year. There will be lots of tourists out looking at places connected with his life. Then, there's the 150th anniversary of the Civil War coming up in 2011.

One Has to Say Hhmmnn. --RoadDog