Gov. Quinn proclaims March 24 as Illinois Museum Day

[March 10, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn has proclaimed March 24 as Illinois Museum Day, and the Illinois Association of Museums is encouraging all citizens to mark the observance by visiting their local museums throughout the state to show their support.

Museums from across the state will gather in Springfield on March 24 to attend a training workshop that will focus on communicating and working effectively with lawmakers. The workshop is sponsored by the Illinois Association of Museums, Museums in the Park and the Illinois State Museum. The event will include opening remarks by Ford Bell, president and CEO of the American Association of Museums, who is just returned from a similar event in Washington, D.C. A discussion of the legislative issues specific to the Illinois museum community and visits with elected officials at the state Capitol will follow the workshop.

This represents a departure from the usual for the annual event. "The changes in format for Museum Day reflect input from past attendees and a recognition that effective communication with legislators is more important than ever in the current political climate," said David Oberg, president of the Illinois Association of Museums. "By eliminating static museum displays in the Capitol rotunda, adding an advocacy workshop and allowing more free time to meet with legislators, we hope to help museums throughout the state better inform lawmakers of the challenges they face and share their success stories."

The Illinois Association of Museums is an independent, statewide association of museums, nature centers, arboretums, historical societies and sites, and other cultural organizations. It operates with support from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

[Text Illinois Association of Museums file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]