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Earmark Ban Sidelines Federal Funding for Orpheum Project
The federal government has, for the third time, hit Galesburg's Orpheum Theatre with a setback in its efforts to overhaul rapidly-aging heating and cooling systems, among other things.

Theatre president Kate Francis says she called Senator Dick Durbin's office Wednesday to inquire about the status of a commitment Durbin made to get the theatre $100,000 for the major capital project.

Francis tells WGIL she didn't like what she heard.

"I already knew in my heart what the answer was going to be given the discussions on earmarks so, but I did receive confirmation from Senator Durbin's office that all earmarks, particularly from the funding source from which they were designating this money, had been eliminated."

Francis says it's her understanding that the ban on Congressional earmarks will be in place for at least two years, so it'll likely be that long before the funding can be considered again. She says she did hold out hope that the money might still come through.

Francis does say she believes the Galesburg City Council will take up its own over $100,000 in funding from Tax Increment Financing District funds at its meeting Monday night.

Over $400,000 has been raised or committed to, toward the over $900,000 needed for the work.
03 17 11 by Newsroom
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