Museum needs money to stay open

RANTOUL -- Chanute Air Museum has called off its summer air show because it can't afford it and says it needs more money to stay open.

Museum director Hal Loebach says the 14-year-old museum counted on a $35,000 state grant to help pay for the June air show. He said the money didn't come through, leaving the museum short of the $60,000 to $70,000 needed to put on the show.

Loebach says the museum, located on the former Chanute Air Force Base, has enough money to operate through April or perhaps May.

Loebach is optimistic, though, saying that recent appeals for financial help are starting to generate donations. He said the museum is also reorganizing its board to include people with fundraising experience.