The mayor of Lockport says he's trying to keep open an art gallery that Gov. Bruce Rauner has ordered closed amid state budget cuts.
Lockport Mayor Steven Streit says he's in talks with the owner of the Lockport Gallery to open the museum Wednesday when it's set to close. Rauner wants to close five branches of the Illinois State Museum and a sport-shooting complex.
Streit argues the Lockport museum isn't in a state building and the public provided artwork to replace pieces removed this summer because of an insurance lapse.
The mayor says the city will pay for museum rent and utilities in the interim. Gallery manager John Lustig says he'll follow Rauner's order but the mayor and building owner have free will to open the doors.
