Alderman Healy: Cities Should Not be in the Museum Business

Fifth Ward Alderman Chris Healy Monday backed away from his call for a review of the Elmhurst Historical Museum's proposed 2011-2012 budget. However, he told the City Council that he wants to revisit how—and if—the city will continue to fund the museum.

Last week, Healy asked alderman to  the amount of money the city spends to support the museum. On Monday, after about 2 1/2 hours of budget discussions on other topics, Healy said he had re-considered his previous push to discuss the city's relationship with the museum during this year's budgeting process.

"I do not believe cities should be in the museum business," he said, adding that Elmhurst, however, did have a current commitment to support the museum financially and that this was not the proper time to discuss that relationship.

But Healy added that he would be requesting that a city committee look at a long-term plan for the museum, including whether it should be privatized, with the Heritage Foundation perhaps taking a larger role in managing it.

Third Ward Alderman Susan Rose was opposed to both the idea of removing the museum from city's budget and of discussing the issue at 10:30 p.m. However, Healy's assurance that he was satisfied with the museum's $700,000 budget proposal for next year meant that the issue is settled until after the current budget process concludes.