Attendance down 13 percent at Ill. historic sites

SPRINGFIELD -- A state report shows that attendance at Illinois historic sites fell nearly 13 percent in 2008 amid cutbacks and closings.

Numbers released by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency Tuesday show that fewer than 2 million people visited Illinois historic sites in 2008, compared to nearly 2.3 million the year before.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich closed 12 historic sites in November 2008 as part of attempts to fill an estimated $2.5 billion budget hole. Among the shuttered sites were some with ties to President Abraham Lincoln, even as the state prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Tim Farley says he's hopeful that new Gov. Pat Quinn will reopen closed sites.