Gov. Blagojevich announces funds to protect additional areas of Cahokia Mounds         

Proposes opening 1,000-year-old World Heritage Site seven days a week

[MARCH 9, 2006]  COLLINSVILLE -- Last month Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced $837,800 that will allow the state to expand the boundaries of Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Collinsville, preserving more areas of the 1,000-year-old World Heritage Site.

"Cahokia Mounds preserves the remains of the largest prehistoric Native American city north of Mexico," Blagojevich said. "These funds will allow us to purchase and protect more land where this ancient city once stood, preserving some of the richest archaeological deposits in the Western Hemisphere."

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers Cahokia Mounds, currently owns about 2,200 acres of the original 4,000 acres occupied by the prehistoric site. The funds announced by Blagojevich will allow the agency to negotiate the purchase of additional pieces of land around Cahokia Mounds that are known to contain key portions of the ancient city. The location of these properties will be kept confidential until purchase negotiations are completed. The acquisition will protect these areas from further development that could threaten remaining artifacts and earthen structures.

On Feb. 15, Blagojevich unveiled his fiscal 2007 budget proposal, which would allow most state-operated historic sites, including Cahokia Mounds, to resume seven-day-per-week operation during the spring through late summer tourist season, continuing a budget initiative started this fiscal year by the governor.

Cahokia Mounds today consists of the largest earthen mound in North America, the 100-foot-tall Monks Mound, and numerous other large earthen mounds that served ceremonial and functional purposes in the Native American city that flourished between A.D. 800 and 1350. An estimated 30,000 people lived within what has come to be called the "City of the Sun." The historic site also features a world-class interpretive center with exhibits depicting daily life at Cahokia Mounds and an award-winning orientation program. Cahokia Mounds hosts about 300,000 visitors each year and is one of the top tourist attractions in the Metro East area.

Cahokia Mounds has been named a World Heritage Site by the United Nations, joining the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty in this prestigious designation.

The funds were appropriated in fiscal 2000 by the Illinois General Assembly and are administered by the Capital Development Board, which manages all state construction projects and property acquisitions.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is located adjacent to Interstate 55-70 in Collinsville. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free public tours. However, the public may visit Cahokia Mounds and many more of Illinois' historic sites seven days per week from April 16 through Sept. 4 as a result of a budget initiative presented by Blagojevich and passed by the Illinois General Assembly.

To learn more about Cahokia Mounds, visit www.cahokiamounds.com.

[News release from the governor's office]

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