COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - Gov. Pat Quinn says he’d like to see private donations factor into funding a possible Barack Obama presidential library in Illinois.
The Chicago Democrat told reporters in Collinsville on Thursday that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library in Springfield has provided a major economic boost, particularly with tourism.
He says an Obama library could create a “tremendous number of jobs” and he’s interested in private donations along with state money.
Lawmakers are considering a measure that will spend about $100 million in state money for Chicago’s bid for the presidential library.
The measure passed an Illinois House committee, but a vote will be retaken next week because no Republicans members were present. House Speaker Michael Madigan is sponsoring the bill and says it was a misunderstanding of the rules.
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