The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency says it will have to cut hours at 13 of its historic sites starting after Labor Day.
The agency said Monday that a 19 percent cut in its budget for the sites forced it to cut back at sites such as the Old State Capitol in Springfield, the Lincoln Log Cabin in Lerna and Cahokia Mounds in Collinsville. Most will reduce the days they are open from five to four.
The agency's budget was cut for the current fiscal year to $4.6 million.
Director Amy Martin said that even with the cuts the agency's budget isn't balanced. She hopes the reductions will hold spending in check until lawmakers can consider restoring some agency funding this fall.
Martin said some lawmakers have indicated that's possible.
The affected sites:
-- Apple River Fort (Elizabeth), open Thursday-Sunday instead of five days a week.
-- Bishop Hill, open Thursday through Sunday instead of five days a week (starting Oct. 1).
-- Dana-Thomas House (Springfield), open Thursday through Sunday instead of five days a week.
-- David Davis Mansion (Bloomington), open Wednesday through Saturday instead of five days a week.
-- Cahokia Mounds (Collinsville), open Wednesday through Sunday instead of six days a week.
-- Fort de Chartres (Prairie du Rocher), open Thursday-Sunday instead of five days a week.
-- Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices (Springfield), closing for renovation.
-- Lincoln Log Cabin (Lerna), open Thursday through Sunday instead of five days a week (starting Oct. 1).
-- Lincoln's New Salem (Petersburg), open Wednesday through Sunday instead of five days a week.
-- Lincoln Tomb (Springfield), open Wednesday through Saturday instead of five days a week.
-- Old State Capitol (Springfield), open Wednesday through Saturday instead of five days a week.
-- Vachel Lindsay Home (Springfield), open afternoons only Thursday through Saturday, instead of five full days a week.
-- Vandalia Statehouse (Vandalia), open Wednesday through Saturday instead of five days a week (starts Nov. 1).
Source: Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
