Springfield wants to keep Lincoln house open amid a shutdown

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Springfield officials have approved an ordinance that would allow the city to spend up to $50,000 to keep Abraham Lincoln’s home open during a federal government shutdown.

The State Journal-Register reports that the City Council unanimously passed the ordinance Tuesday. It gives the city the option of using lodging taxes to keep the Abraham Lincoln Home National Historic Site open for about a month.

Site superintendent Tim Good says the funds would allow the National Park Service to staff nine employees Tuesday through Sunday. Many tourists were disappointed when the site closed during the partial government shutdown that started Dec. 22 and ended Jan. 25.

City attorney Jim Zerkle says the ordinance doesn’t automatically trigger the transfer of funds. He says it gives the mayor the ability to authorize the donation.

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