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92_HB3307gms
STATE OF ILLINOIS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
SPRINGFIELD, 62706
GEORGE H. RYAN
GOVERNOR
August 10, 2001
To the Honorable Members of the
Illinois House of Representatives
92nd General Assembly
Pursuant to the authority vested in the Governor by
Article IV, Section 9(e) of the Illinois Constitution of
1970, and re-affirmed by the People of the State of Illinois
by popular referendum in 1974, and conforming to the standard
articulated by the Illinois Supreme Court in People ex Rel.
Klinger v. Howlett, 50 Ill. 2d 242 (1972), Continental
Illinois National Bank and Trust Co. v. Zagel, 78 Ill. 2d 387
(1979), People ex Rel. City of Canton v. Crouch, 79 Ill. 2d
356 (1980), and County of Kane v. Carlson, 116 Ill. 2d 186
(1987), that gubernatorial action be consistent with the
fundamental purposes and the intent of the bill, I hereby
return House Bill 3307 entitled "AN ACT in relation to
historic preservation," with my specific recommendations for
change.
House Bill 3307 enables the Historic Preservation Agency
to have jurisdiction over the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum, Apple River Fort, Martin-Boismenue House,
Sugar Loaf Mound, and Union Station.
However, it is important to note that each state property
should be operated, managed, and preserved by the governing
authority that will provide the most appropriate philosophy,
capacity, and ability. Therefore, the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum as well as the Union Station,
which will be linked to the library and museum as a visitor
center, should not be included on the list of properties to
be governed by the Historic Preservation Agency.
The Historic Preservation Agency is granted the statutory
authority to have jurisdiction over designated State Historic
Sites, State Memorials, and Miscellaneous Properties. It is
important to note that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum will not serve the people of this state
and nation as a historic site or memorial but rather as an
institution of education and research dedicated to Abraham
Lincoln, his times, and his ideas.
Those who truly understand and support the mission of the
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will agree
that its scope is too broad and encompassing to be bound by
the historic mission of this state agency. Moreover, the
Historic Preservation Agency, although an important partner,
does not maintain the financial or administrative resources
necessary to fully meet the needs of the Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum complex. Although it was
initiated through the Historic Preservation Agency, this
project has developed through collaboration among a variety
of agencies and institutions and will grow to assert an
influence that is international in scope and perspective.
There is no precedent in the history of Illinois for an
initiative of this significance, and it is necessary for the
State to utilize more time to evaluate the most beneficial
and appropriate governing authority.
For these reasons, I hereby return House Bill 3307 with
the following recommendations for change:
on page 1, by deleting lines 12 and 13; and
on page 2, by deleting line 25.
With these changes, House Bill 3307 will have my
approval. I respectfully request your concurrence.
Sincerely,
s/GEORGE H. RYAN
Governor
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