SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) and Rep. Wayne Rosenthal (R-Morrisonville) hope to pass several plans this spring to save the Lincoln's New Salem state historic site.
A photo of damage to a building at the Lincoln's New Salem state historic site.
The local lawmakers are calling for a New Salem preservation commission to address repairs and improvements for log homes, buildings, roofs, and mills that have faced decades of decay.
"For Illinois residents, this site is crucial in learning about Lincoln's early life, and the place that would teach him how to lead our nation through challenging times," Rosenthal said. "Restoring this historical site will help future generations understand the importance of education by walking through Lincoln's place of education."
A separate bill would require lawmakers to provide $5 million to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for New Salem improvements. However, IDNR officials recently told McClure they may actually need $19 million to address disrepair.
"We want to repair what is broken right now and moving forward make sure that this never happens again," McClure said Wednesday. "I think the only way to make sure it doesn't happen again is if we have a commission in place that can constantly let all of us know in the General Assembly what the issues are and what needs to be maintained."
McClure and Rosenthal also hope to create an exemption from the state procurement code for purchases needed at New Salem. They said direct purchasing would allow for quicker repairs by trained and experienced craftsmen rather than accepting the lowest bid for projects.
"Visitorship years ago when it was considered a premiere historic site in Illinois was in excess of 400,000 people a year. I have no idea what it is now," said New Salem Lincoln League President Gina Gillmore-Wolter. "I wouldn't believe it's nearly that number. What I'm hearing from people in the community is they're embarrassed to take their guests to New Salem."
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