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State
Budget Merges IHPA into DNR
Illinois
Under the new Illinois state budget released by Gov. Pat
Quinn on March 18, state historic sites will remain
closed and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA)
will end its 24-year-long operation as a stand-alone
department. As part of Governor Quinn’s new budget, IHPA
will now operate as part of the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR).
In 1985, IHPA was separated from the Department of
Conservation to function as a stand-alone department.
Its duties are to operate over 60 historic sites and
memorials and contain the state’s Preservation Services
Division, which administers federal historic
preservation programs at the state level, such as the
National Register for Historic Places and regulatory
review of federal projects that impact historic
properties.
Despite public pleas for a reversal of former Gov. Rod
Blagojevich’s decision to close a dozen state historic
sites, Governor Quinn’s budget does not contain funding
that would allow these sites to reopen. Since the
announcement of their closing, Landmarks Illinois has
led a statewide campaign to reopen the historic sites,
which include Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana-Thomas House in
Springfield.
“This is a disappointment and we hope the governor will
change his mind on the historic sites issue,” said
Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Jim Peters. “We
also will continue to work with our colleagues at IHPA
to ensure that its identity and important role won’t be
lost through this merger.”
Update: The State Journal-Register
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Crowd helps Quinn reopen historic house |
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