A refresher: In a process that took several months to play out, closings and the drastic cutting of hours at many state parks and historical sites began playing out in early August. Attractions tied to Abraham Lincoln weren't spared, Lincoln's New Salem near Springfield went from a seven-day a week schedule to just five days.
Just as the nation gears up for Lincoln-mania, Blago puts up the "Closed Today" signs.
The State Journal-Register has the stats.
Here are the 2007-2008 attendance figures:
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum: 2008: 424,472; 2007: 350,551.
Abraham Lincoln Home Historic Site: 369,747; 346,488.
Other state-operated historic sites (statewide): 1,998,104; 2,288,714
Illinois tourism and convention bureau officials are blaming Blago's cutbacks for the drop.
Yes, I'm well aware that the economy began to sputter a year ago, and the high gas prices had an effect on travel plans.
However....
Once again, we are talking about Lincoln. Secondly, "Stay-cation" was a buzzword last summer, and if a family decided that they couldn't afford to drive from Chicago to Yellowstone, perhaps a trip to the Lincoln sites might satiate the family travel bug until the next year.
Blago's replacement Patrick Quinn wants to reopen the shuttered state parks and historical sites. Yes, it will cost money, but think of all the money that is not being spent in hotels, restaurants, and gift shops in Illinois because of locked doors.
Related post:
Some more Blago damage: Park closings
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