SPRINGFIELD - On the cusp of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has slashed about half of the state's budget used to maintain and operate historic sites, including those dedicated to the 16th president.

This week, Blagojevich cut $1.4 billion out of the state budget approved by lawmakers, saying it's out of balance. Included in the cutbacks is $2.8 million from the fund used to pay staff at state historic sites.

That amount works out to about half of the annual budget for the sites, which range across the state, said Illinois Historic Preservation Agency spokesman Dave Blanchette.

"These cuts are obviously going to have a significant impact on the sites," he said.

The sites range from the well-known Lincoln stops in Springfield to, for example, the David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, Bryant Cottage in Bement, and the Shawneetown Bank in Old Shawneetown, among many others.

Blanchette said Friday it's too early to tell if staff would be laid off or access to the state sites would be cut back.

Anders Lindall, spokesman for the union that represents many of the workers who staff historic sites, said the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union is still analyzing cuts in agencies across state government.

"We fear that the cuts could result in layoffs." Lindall said. "We think that the General Assembly should come back right away and override these irresponsible cuts."

Lawmakers still have the opportunity to put money for the historic sites and numerous other programs back in the budget if they want. They're scheduled to arrive in Springfield next week to begin talking about Blagojevich's entire $1.4 billion in budget vetoes.

Blagojevich would like lawmakers to approve legislation that frees up more money for the state, but it's unclear if they will.

The governor's budget decision also included nearly $3.7 million less than lawmakers approved for the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission - a group planning for the celebration of Lincoln's 200th birthday in February of next year.

Blanchette said that reduction doesn't hurt much because the commission wasn't planning on getting the money anyway. Lawmakers added it at the end of May.

"We kind of figured it would be a target," he said.

Most of the commission money goes to communities for local events and projects. But the state plans to announce its own major plans for the event Thursday, Blanchette said.

For a complete list of historic sites in Illinois, go to www.illinoishistory.gov.