State Senator Sue Rezin | Illinois General Assembly
State Senator Sue Rezin | Illinois General Assembly
The New Salem State Historic Site is set to receive $8 million for necessary repairs to its historic structures. This funding was announced on March 19, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Steve McClure, Representative Wayne Rosenthal, and the Lincoln League volunteer organization. The site has been facing deterioration issues.
The allocated funds will address repairs for up to 23 log buildings and updates to the outdoor theater. Recent press conferences and media tours have brought attention to the site's urgent infrastructure needs, such as collapsed roofs, structural damage, and a failing pedestrian walkway.
Beyond this immediate funding, McClure and Rosenthal are pushing forward legislative measures aimed at ensuring the site's long-term preservation. These proposals include establishing the New Salem Preservation Commission, securing additional improvement funds, and streamlining repair processes.
The New Salem State Historic Site is an important historical landmark near Springfield where Abraham Lincoln spent his early adult years.
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