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Tourism Dropoff In Springfield

wikepedia

Springfield officials say they're worried the federal government's partial shutdown may cut into tourism.  
That's because Abraham Lincoln's home _ one of the city's top tourists attractions _ is closed since it's operated by the National Parks Service.  
The site drew more than 295,000 visitors last year.  
The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports (http://bit.ly/1cqLqtj ) the closure comes after peak tourism season.  
The co-owner of a nearby restaurant says there's a noticeable impact on her business as foot traffic declines.  
 At the state-run Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, about 5,200 people visited last week _ down about 14 percent from the same period last year.  
 Spokesman Chris Wills says there are always fluctuations, so the decline can't be attributed to the federal shutdown.  
Wills says some tourists are just rearranging plans.

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