Illinois Historic Sites Forced To Reduce Hours

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency says it will have to cut hours at 13 of its historic sites starting after Labor Day.

The agency said Monday that a 19 percent cut in its budget for the sites forced it to cut back at sites such as the Old State Capitol in Springfield, the Lincoln Log Cabin in Lerna and Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville. Most will reduce the days they are open from five to four.

The agency's budget was cut for the current fiscal year to $4.6 million.

Director Amy Martin said that even with the cuts the agency's budget isn't balanced. She hopes the reductions will hold spending in check until lawmakers can consider restoring some agency funding this fall.

Martin said some lawmakers have indicated that's possible.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.