More than $200 million could be reinstated to the Lincoln Log Cabin and other Illinois historic sites and state parks, allowing the sites to stay open.

“It’s not a pleasant experience, but hopefully the legislature can do something to help reduce the effects of the budget cuts,” said David Blanchette, spokesperson for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. “The budget they sent was $2 billion out of balance – every agency got cut.”

The General Assembly passed the restoration of funds in late September that would sweep the surpluses in special state funds. The bill is awaiting Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s signature before becoming law.

Blagojevich has 59 days to sign or it automatically becomes law.

Blagojevich cut the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency’s budget in half to free enough revenue to pay for everything in the state’s budget for fiscal year 2009.

In response, the agency had to close 12 of 24 Illinois historic sites and lay off 34 employees within the historic sites division.

Approximately $221.5 million would come from the funds sweeps bill. The other $9.5 million would come from the state’s normal revenue such as sales taxes and riverboat casino taxes.

The Lincoln Log Cabin is slated to close Oct. 15, after the Oct. 1 closing date was pushed back because of unexpected personnel issues with layoffs.

In a press release, budget negotiators said the restoration of funds would solve the agencies’ problems.

The Illinois Revenue Department has reported that in the midst of the national economic crisis, Illinois revenue has depleted. Approximately $200 million is missing in tax revenue from last year’s estimate.

In a press release, Blagojevich representatives said the shortfall in tax revenue intensifies the budget issues and creates little room for fund sweeps.

“Our biggest question is where exactly the money is coming from, because our agency is a part of these ‘special state funds,'” Blanchette said. “Is this something the agencies can take?”

However, budget negotiators see the funds as necessary as the state readies itself for national celebrations for the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Charleston, Mattoon and Coles County officials have unanimously voted to support the reinstatement of funding for state historic sites. Charleston tourism director Karen Peterson has said the Lincoln Log Cabin accounts for a “major chunk” of tourism dollars for Charleston and Coles County.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at [email protected].