Quinn Wants to Reopen Closed Illinois Historic Sites

In an article in today's Peoria Journal-Star, Illinois' new Governor Pat Quinn (D) pledges to reopen the closed Illinois state parks and historic sites. Furthermore, he indicates that he understands why the closures ordered by ousted Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) were foolish:

Nature-based and historic-based tourism are the fast-growing growing types of U.S. tourism, Quinn said. The dollars generated by tourism outweigh the cost of running the parks and historic sites, he said, adding that his administration somehow would find the money to reopen them.

"You squeeze a nickel and lose a half-dollar. That's not smart government," he said.

Quinn will reopen the closed sites "with dispatch."