The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency announced Monday that Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, in Collinsville, is one of 13 state historic sites forced to reduce operations because of reduced state funding.

Woodhenge at Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site / Photo by Roger Starkey

According to the IHPA, the state budget approved by legislators in May cuts the funds available to operate historic sites from $5.7 million in fiscal year 2014 to $4.6 million in fiscal year 2015, a reduction of $1.1 million, or 19 percent. The group warns that, unless funding is restored, the IHPA will run out of money in 2015.

Reducing hours will not balance the agencies budget, the group said in a statement. A balanced budget could only be achieved by closing some historic sites completely. The group hopes the legislature will reconsider the budget cut when they reconvene.

Many sites ordinarily change their operating hours in the fall, when the summer travel season is over, the IHPA said. Because of the budget cuts, reduced hours will begins sooner.

Cahokia Mounds wills switch to five days of operation from three days on Sept. 3, about two months sooner than normal. Each historic site will have the following hours:

Apple River Fort (Elizabeth) – Operate four days a week (Thursday-Sunday) instead of five

Bishop Hill (Thurs-Sun) – Operate four days a week instead of five, beginning Oct. 1

Dana-Thomas House Springfield, Dr. – Operate four days a weak nstead of five

David Davis Mansion (Bloomington) – Operate four days a week (Wednesday – Saturday) instead of five

Cahokia Mounds (Collinsville) – Switch to five days a week (Wednesday – Saturday) two months earlier than normal

Port de Chartres (Prairie du Rocher). Operate four days a week this year (Sunday through the FB)

Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices (Springfield) – Will be closing for renovation

Lincoln Log Cabin (Lerna)- Operate four days a week (Thursday – Sunday) instead of five, beginning Oct. 1.

Lincoln’s New Salem (Petersburg) – Switch to five days a week (Wednesday – Sunday) two months earlier than normal.

Lincoln Tomb (Springfield) – Operate four days a week (Wednesday-Saturday) instead of five

Old State Capitol (Springfield) – Operate four days a week (Wednesday – Saturday) instead of five

Vachel Lindsay Home (Springfield) – Operate four afternoons a week (Thursday – Sunday) instead of five full days

Vandalia Statehouse (Vandalia) – Operate four days a week (Wednesday – Saturday) instead of five, beginning Nov. 1.