Lawmakers Debate Overhaul Of Lincoln Library & Museum
CHICAGO (CBS) -- State lawmakers on Wednesday discussed the future of the Abraham Presidential Library and Museum, amid a proposal by House Speaker Michael Madigan to split it off from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
WBBM Newsradio's John Cody reports the House State Government Administration Committee met in Chicago to take up the issue.
Madigan has argued IHPA control of the Lincoln Library and Museum in Springfield has hamstrung the institution.
Supporters of the plan to separate ALPLM have said problems with the current governance of the facility have led to squabbles between the museum advisory board and the IHPA board, and significant debt for the private fundraising foundation.
State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), who chairs the committee, also cited "the accumulation of staff vacancies, a failure to have a disaster relief plan, and a failure to swiftly move towards accreditation; and my biggest fear, over the politicalization of the museum."
IHPA board chair Sunny Fischer said she opposes making the library an independent agency, especially with ALPLM making preparations for the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's assassination next year.
"Radical overhaul of the ALPLM's governing structure would cause a long period of confusion, uncertainty, and distraction," she said.
She also has said the split would cost an extra $2 million a year.