http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-897352.mp3
Springfield, IL – An Illinois preservation group is calling attention to budget cuts in a state program that helps improve downtown areas.
More than 70 Illinois communities participate in the Main Street program, which provides technical assistance and support to local efforts. That's why the group Illinois Landmarks used a slot in its ten most endangered places list to point out funding problems.
Main Street has only one full time employee after recent budget cuts.
"We think it's a program that won't continue to be effective if we don't at least create the staff it had at one point to help the local communities do what's necessary," said Jim Peters of Illinois Landmarks.
Peters said Main Street has created more than 5,000 jobs and generated more than $400 million in downtown reinvestment.
Here is a complete list of endangered sites:
*Bass-Mollett House, 115 E. Beaumont Ave., Greenville (Bond County)
*Chanute Headquarters and Mess Hall, Borman and Pacesetter Drives, Rantoul (Champaign County)
*Illinois Main Street Program, Statewide
*Manske-Niemann Farm, 13 Frank's Lane, Litchfield (Montgomery County)
*Massac Theater, 119 W. Fifth St., Metropolis (Massac County)
*North Pullman, 10400- and 10500-blocks of South Corliss and Maryland Avenues, Chicago (Cook County)
*Prentice Women's Hospital, 333 E. Superior St., Chicago (Cook County)
*Red Cliff, 1217 11th Ave., Moline (Rock Island County)
*St. Laurence Complex, 7148 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago (Cook County)
*Uptown Theatre, 4816 N. Broadway, Chicago (Cook County)