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Historic Sites Closures Delayed Two Weeks
The state's plan to shut down about two dozen state parks and historic sites, and lay off the workers who go with them, is being delayed. The workers' union, AFSCME, says the governor's office has informed it that the historic sites affected will stay open an extra two weeks, to Oct. 15, and the state parks targeted for shutdown will stay open an extra month, to Nov. 30.

A union spokesman, Anders Lindall, says the negotiating -- "impact bargaining" -- required to bring about the layoffs has been given as one reason for the delay, but he also suggests the governor's office didn't plan this out well to begin with.

The Illinois House last week found the money to keep things open, but the Senate does not plan to return to session until Nov. 12. Lindall says the public outcry over the plans also may have entered into the decision to delay things, and he says AFSCME is still urging people interested to contact their state senator.

Spokesmen Dave Blanchette of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and Chris McCloud of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources say they can't address the possibility the facilities will stay open for good; right now, their agencies are dealing with the plans as they stand now.

The closures include the Bishop Hill State Historic Site, and the Carl Sandburg Birthplace in Galesburg.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
09 16 08 by Newsroom
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