Rauner: Illinois State Museum may open with its own funding

It comes three days after Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner rejected legislation to reopen the museums, but suggested in his veto letter that the facilities could reopen provided they don’t rely exclusively on state support. The governor’s amendatory veto instructs the museum to partner with public and private third-parties to invest in the museum’s mission. The museum needs approval from the state legislature to charge admission fees.

The governor’s proposal, developed with the department over the past several months, would save an estimated $1 million annually and would reorganize the museum’s management and organizational structure.

“The museum will not be self-supporting, but with these change we’ll be able to contribute more to the operations and reduce its dependence on general revenue funds and become more sustainable”, Rosenthal said. It’s that bill which Rauner has now opted to give an amendatory veto, meaning he’s made his own recommendations which the House and Senate can either approve or choose to override via a 60-percent vote in each chamber. More than any other state in the nation.

State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) said he supports the consolidation plan, and he said more local governments in IL should be eliminated.

“I support this effort because I believe this is a reasonable, actionable step forward in reopening the museum”, Butler said.

Rauner previous year ordered the state museum sites closed, saying it could save the state almost $5 million.

The agency that oversees the Illinois State Museum and the governor’s office have reached an agreement to reopen the facility and its satellite locations by charging admission and closing two branches, the state announced Monday. However, unionized state employees continue to work in the museum system while a lawsuit on their layoffs is pending. “Texas, which is way bigger than us, has 2,000 less; fewer, I guess is the right word”, he said.