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Rauner Says Illinois State Museum Can Re-open If Doesn't Use State Money

Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Governor Bruce Rauner issued an amendatory veto Friday on legislation that would reopen the Illinois State Museum- if it gets private funding.

Gov. Bruce Rauner.
Gov. Bruce Rauner.

 Raunersays he will support re-opening the museum in Springfield, and its branches throughout Illinois, if they don't rely on state funding. The state has given millions each year to help it operate.

Museum board chairmanGuerrySuggssaid he didn't expect this response from the governor.

"I don't know where we're going to get $6 million dollars overnight," he said."Obviously, we would be prepared to try to move in that direction if we can, but to just drop that on us out of nowhere makes it very difficult."

The governor suggested the museum become self-supporting by courting donations and charging an admission fee. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the museum, has scheduled an announcement about it on Monday morning.

Copyright 2016 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Sarah.Mueller