The Illinois State Museum is in danger of losing is accreditation.
At the beginning of the month, the state museum in Springfield closed its doors; so did the museum's Chicago, Lockport and Rend Lake galleries, and the Dickson Mounds archeological site.
That alone means the museum no longer meets accreditation criteria set by a national commission; the standards require qualified museums be open to the public.
The Illinois State Museum's accreditation hasn't been pulled yet. But the American Alliance of Museums' commission Tuesday unanimously voted to put in on probation.
In a statement the chairman says the actions by Illinois' government left the commission no choice.
Sen. Andy Manar, a Democrat whose district touches Springfield and who tried to keep the museum open, says the news should come as no surprise.
"It underscores the fact that once you dismantle a system like the one we have today it's going to be difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild it."
Gov. Bruce Rauner says it's prudent financial management. In a statement his spokeswoman says until there's a budget, the administration can't say if there will be money to reopen the museum.
