Springfield Weighs Funding for Black Heritage Tourism

The Springfield City Council reviews the new History Beyond the Tracks African American heritage tourism plan, debating how much city funding and follow-through should back investments in key east side sites. Council members connect Lincoln, Route 66, the coming 1908 Race Riot National Monument, and even the Obama library to long-term tourism, while a resident sharply criticizes the council’s budget priorities over a $3,000 dispute. 17mins

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Original Meeting

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026
8655.0
Springfield Illinois Committee of the Whole Meeting Tuesday January 27 2026
Full Meeting on YouTube
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Zach Adams
Springfield IL
I am a Photographer/Videographer working for Illinois Times
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In This Video
  • Manny Nicholson presented the History Beyond the Tracks African American heritage tourism initiative, outlining its mission, goals, and key historic sites to be featured in a coordinated marketing campaign.
  • A council member emphasized the need for immediate, visible investments and coordinated marketing to launch the History Beyond the Tracks initiative, calling for fencing, wayfinding, site improvements, and sustained city support comparable to Lincoln-focused tourism.
  • Alderwoman Purchase voiced strong support for prioritizing funding for the History Beyond the Tracks initiative in the city budget, emphasizing that Springfield should match state investments and energy devoted to other tourism efforts like Route 66 and the Armory tied to the 1908 race riot.
  • Director Dahl and Alderwoman Purchase discussed leveraging upcoming events like the FIFA World Cup, Route 66 travel, and the Obama presidential library to build momentum for Springfield’s 1908 Race Riot National Monument and related Black heritage sites, emphasizing long-term national tourism potential.
  • Resident Ken Pacha sharply criticized council members for using “slippery slope” arguments to resist small expenditures while approving larger deals, accused the body of neglecting poor and Black residents and acting ineffectively on issues like massage parlors and water mains, and labeled the council’s budget debates embarrassing before the meeting adjourned.
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