Law would crack down on museum freebies

SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers in Springfield want to stop out-of-state visitors from taking advantage of free-admission days at Illinois museums.

The Illinois House passed a measure Thursday by a vote of 107-0, with one lawmaker voting present. It would bar non-Illinoisans from taking advantage of the 52 free days that museums and aquariums are required under state law to offer each year.

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the measure could bring in $11 million for Chicago's cultural institutions.

The legislation now goes to Gov. Pat Quinn.