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Illinois officials consider options to save mural

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A mosaic mural in western Illinois that once caused controversy for its depiction of a freed black slave is at risk of being destroyed.

The Edwardsville mural in the old City Hall building originally featured a freed slave with ropes dangling from his wrists. After backlash, it was changed about 30 years ago to feature a farmer with a hoe over his shoulder.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that the building's last occupants have relocated and officials have approved a developer's plan to buy and demolish the facility.

The City Council's Administrative and Community Services Committee has been considering what to do with the mural. The committee says relocating the piece would likely cost about $100,000.

Officials have considered displaying small section of the mural around the city or creating a reproduction.

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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com

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