Found a great article about the curret status of the Lincoln-Herndon law offices. Read the artcle here.

Rick Brown
HistoryReference.org
A Nonpfrofit Organization

Illinois has major problems. It has the lowest credit rating of all 50 states.

It's Lincoln's fault. If he hadn't voted for all those costly government expenditures on civic improvements when he was in the state legislature back in the 1830's, none of this would have happened.

(02-06-2016, 03:50 PM)Gene C Wrote: It's Lincoln's fault. If he hadn't voted for all those costly government expenditures on civic improvements when he was in the state legislature back in the 1830's, none of this would have happened.

In 1838-1839 legislative session one of the bills Lincoln voted for was the imposition of a $1,000 fine to be levied on anyone betting on an election. The bill passed. I do not know if this is still in effect in Illinois, but if so, it might be a way in which the state could raise a lot of money.

(02-06-2016, 04:21 PM)RJNorton Wrote:

(02-06-2016, 03:50 PM)Gene C Wrote: It's Lincoln's fault. If he hadn't voted for all those costly government expenditures on civic improvements when he was in the state legislature back in the 1830's, none of this would have happened.

In 1838-1839 legislative session one of the bills Lincoln voted for was the imposition of a $1,000 fine to be levied on anyone betting on an election. The bill passed. I do not know if this is still in effect in Illinois, but if so, it might be a way in which the state could raise a lot of money.

Roger, I like your suggestion. Don't know about the fine but according to this it's still illegal. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ful...00050K28-1

I'll bet they just don't enforce it

(02-06-2016, 07:33 PM)Gene C Wrote: I'll bet they just don't enforce it

And 'll bet they don't either. What are we betting Gene? Think the Il State Attorney General's Office is monitoring betting on Roger's site?

Sure hope that bookstore doesn't close too!

The bookstore should be safe - or as safe as any privately owned business these days. In addition to their store front, they also sell books on-line.

I will never understand how why the State of Illinois does not see the value of history and tourism.

Almost everything in Lincoln's Law Office real- not reproductions. I am thankful that I have toured it but am sad that this has happened. Land of Lincoln? Beginning to sound a bit hollow.

(02-09-2016, 12:33 AM)Donna McCreary Wrote: I will never understand how why the State of Illinois does not see the value of history and tourism.

History and tourism don't buy the politicians enough votes to matter.

And many politicians don't understand or appreciate the lessons learned from history.

Gene: so true. The lesson of Chamberlain and Hitler should be required study.

(04-03-2016, 09:17 AM)ELCore Wrote:

(02-09-2016, 12:33 AM)Donna McCreary Wrote: I will never understand how why the State of Illinois does not see the value of history and tourism.

History and tourism don't buy the politicians enough votes to matter.

I live in dysfunctional Illinois. The situation, which has affected any action involving disbursement of State of Illinois funds, is that our legislators and our governor cannot reach agreement over a state budget. This impasse has lasted nine months, and there is nothing to indicate that its resolution is imminent. Until the Governor (Rauner--R, Chicago) and the Speaker of the House (Madigan--D, Chicago) can agree on a budget, Lincoln's law office will remain in limbo. It's not that Illinois politicians don't recognize the value of Illinois history and tourism, it's that these same people are held in sway by these two powerful figures. Any state entity which depends on Illinois money for its survival is at risk, at the very least, of having its hours curtailed and, at the most, of being closed down. How could it be otherwise?

I suppose there may be another state which has a similar problem, but I can't think of one right now. Truly sad and frustrating.

Thanks for futher shedding light on this. We will hope against hope.