Illinois is entering its second month without a passed budget after Governor Rauner vetoed the Legislature’s proposed Fiscal Year 2016 budget—the Legislature did not support the governor’s reforms and surpassed state revenues by $3 billion. To cut down on government expenses due to the budget stalemate, Gov. Rauner ordered the closure of state facilities which include five state museums.

Lockport Mayor Steve Streit was aghast on July 1 when state workers packed up the Lockport Gallery’s exhibits and shut its doors without prior notice. Lockport Gallery Director John Lustig had been told he had to close the museum and return the art because the state could not pay the museum’s insurance without a passed state budget. Vowing to reopen the Gallery, Mayor Streit successfully added the museum to the city’s insurance policy. Since the museum’s original exhibits were removed by the state, Mayor Streit and Lustig now are requesting local and regional artists to contribute works for a new summer show.

Also speaking out against the closures of all state museums, State Arts Action Network member Arts Alliance Illinois and its many partners are educating lawmakers about why the Illinois State Museum System must stay open. Arts Alliance Illinois and its partners sent a joint letter to the governor; produced an e-advocacy alert with 1,200 advocates taking action; and Executive Director Ra Joy spoke to a crowd of more than 500 people at the "Save the Illinois State Museum" rally in Springfield at the Capitol.