The Illinois State Museum in Springfield plans to re-open by charging admission fees and consolidating departments...if lawmakers go along with the idea.
Governor Bruce Rauner agreed last week to let the museum and its satellite locations reopen if they don't require state money to operate. Rauner closed the museum last October because the state didn't have a budget.
Representative Tim Butler, a Republican from Springfield, says charging a five-dollar admission fee to visitors is reasonable compared with other museums in Illinois and in other states.
"I think that the community really spoke loudly in that this is a gem for our community and now, moving forward, we have a real opportunity for the community to join us in our efforts to make this museum a better place than it has been in the past, in all honesty. And I look forward to that."
The museum needs approval from the state legislature to charge admission fees. It will also look at getting private donations.
Satellite locations will stay closed while the museum explores local partnerships for funding.
IDNR says plans are to close the Rend Lake and Chicago branches to save money.
