The fate of the Illinois State Museum could be decided in the next couple of days. The museum closed to the public last October as a cost-saving measure as the budget stalemate dragged on.
Gov. Bruce Rauner hoped to save nearly $5 million by shuttering the museum and laying off its staff. He ordered the shutdown and called it a budget move. But a lawsuit prevented the administration from getting rid of union employees. Rauner has until Sunday to act on a measure that could re-open the Springfield facility and other branches.
Museum board chairman GuerrySuggs said many people in the top positions were laid off or retired.
"Once we re-open, we've got to find a new director and we've got a number of curatorial jobs that we're going to have to fill," he said. "So, we've got some major issues with senior staff."
The proposal doesn't direct any money to hire people. Suggs said he doesn't know if the governor will have a change of heart, but he would like to see it educating visitors about Illinois' history again.
A Rauner Administration spokeswoman did not return a request for comment.
