News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: September 10, 2008

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Stephens fights to restore funding for Vandalia’s Old State Capitol

Vandalia…. Representative Ron Stephens (R-Highland) is supporting legislation which would restore the funding to the Old State Capitol in Vandalia, allowing it to remain open.

House Bill 6693, which is sponsored by Stephens, requires the restoration of certain appropriations to the Historic Preservation Agency that were reduced or vetoed by the Governor. One of the sites impacted by the budget cuts was the Old State Capitol.

“It’s extremely disappointing,” Rep. Stephens said about the Governor’s budget slashing. “Even with all of the cuts he made, spending this year grew by over a billion dollars.”

Stephens believes historical sites, such as the Old State Capitol, shouldn’t have to experience budget cuts in order to fund wasteful spending elsewhere.

“The Old State Capitol teaches students and citizens about a part of the rich and colorful history in Illinois,” Stephens said. “If the federal government were to shut the doors of Independence Hall to visitors tomorrow, no one would stand for it. They’d say we’re losing a piece of our national history. By closing the Old State Capitol in Vandalia, we’re losing a piece of our state history, and that’s just as tragic.”

Stephens wants to make it clear that he will fight to restore the funding to the Old State Capitol and will rally support among his fellow legislators to do it.

“If the Governor does not restore the funding, we will fight tooth and nail on the House floor to pass this supplemental bill,” Stephens said. “We will make sure the Old State Capitol and other historical sites around the state are open and available for anyone.”

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