SPRINGFIELD - Private donations and a guarantee of additional volunteer help have taken another state historic site off Gov. Rod Blagojevich's hit list.

The Bryant Cottage State Historic Site in Bement reached an agreement with the state last week to remain open past Nov. 30.

The site, where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas planned their debates 150 years ago, was among 14 state historic sites targeted for closure by the governor because of the budget fight that has been under way in Springfield for more than two years.

That list has been pared to 12 after supporters of the cottage and the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington convinced state officials they could continue operating using volunteers and increased donations.

Illinois Historic Preservation Agency spokesman David Blanchette said Monday there may be other historic sites that could stay open if similar arrangements are worked out.

"There are discussions going on," Blanchette said.

Blanchette would not disclose what other sites are engaged in those talks.

For now, the remaining 12 historic sites will close Nov. 30, along with seven state parks.

Although lawmakers approved money to keep all the facilities open, Blagojevich said the state's current budget situation won't allow him to keep them operating. He did, however, trim the list of state parks to close from 11 to seven.

At each of the facilities, officials are reviewing what exactly will happen on Nov. 30.

At each historic site and park, signs will be placed at all entrances alerting the public that the property is closed.

But, both Blanchette and Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chris McCloud said there is no "one size fits all" approach to closing.

For example, if there are county roads running through state parks, the roads will remain open, McCloud said.

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Closure list

The following Illinois state parks and historic sites will close effective Nov. 30:

State parks

Castle Rock State Park, Oregon

Lowden State Park, Oregon

Illini State Park, Marseilles

Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg

Moraine View State Park, LeRoy

Weldon Springs State Recreation Area, Clinton

Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor

Historic sites

Dana Thomas House, Springfield

Hauberg Indian Museum at Blackhawk State Historic Site, Quad-Cities

Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna

Fort de Chartres, Randolph County

Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia

Bishop Hill, Henry County

Carl Sandburg, Galesburg

Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia

Jubilee College, Peoria County

Apple River Fort, Elizabeth

Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County

Pierre Menard Home, Randolph County