Nov 19, 2008 10:51 pm US/Central
Truth In Politics: Land Of Lincoln No More?
Budget Cuts Force Elimination Of Access To Many Presidential Historic Sites Across Illinois
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
After Barack Obama's election, a lot of people believed the world would be coming to Illinois--inspired by him and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
But CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports, Illinois is shutting down some celebrated Lincoln sites, just as Honest Abe's bicentennial is about to begin.
In Wednesday's Truth In Politics segment, many are asking whether Illinois is staying true to the slogan: The Land Of Lincoln.
Budget cuts totaling a mere $2.8 million brought an early cut to off-season visiting hours this year at The Old State Capitol, where Honest Abe served in Illinois' General Assembly, and where Barack Obama launched his presidential campaign last year.
The tomb of America's most-revered leader, previously always open seven days a week, is now down to five.
The 16th President's old law office went from seven days to just one. As a new President from Illinois stirs a new level of worldwide interest in Abraham Lincoln, the cuts strike some as shortsighted.
"I don't think it makes any sense when you are celebrating the bicentennial of Lincoln's,'' said former Gov. Jim Edgar.
A 50 percent cut in Illinois' historic preservation budget means we're losing a chance to visit some Land of Lincoln landmarks, not just in Springfield, but Vandalia, Charleston and Bloomington, where some sites are closed completely until next July first.
Bjorn Skaptason, and Abraham Lincoln bookshop owner, said: "I think it's tragic right now that some of these sites right now .. when the public most wants to visit them.''
The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition claims more money could be made by keeping the sites open than could be saved by closing them.
The economic benefits from tourists flocking to the state to celebrate the Lincoln birth vary, but some say it could be up to $100 million.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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