Grants to fund living history, sound system

SPRINGFIELD — More than $40,000 in grant money has been awarded to two Illinois projects related to Abraham Lincoln.

Officials announced Wednesday that the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation will give $33,000 to the “Looking for Lincoln” program to promote living history programs throughout the 42 Illinois counties where the 16th president spent most of his adult life.

The U.S. Congress in 2008 designated that area the “Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area.”

Another $7,500 will fund a new sound system for the Old State Capitol. Lincoln served in the state Legislature there and now it's a historic site that hosts numerous ceremonies, history-related events and symposiums.