The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will get a new leader in July.
When it opened in 2004, the presidential museum was touted as a world-class complex, and a tourist-luring gem for Springfield.
But it's been caught in political, personality and operational crossfire. State budget constraints have led to dwindling resources. Politicians are in a tug-of-war over its organization (both House Speaker Michael Madigan and Governor Bruce Rauner have ideas that include making the museum and library its own state agency, and eliminating the museum's foundation). Through this, the ALPLM has been without a permanent director for more than half a year. It previous director, Eileen Mackevich, resigned last October.
Now, the governor has made his choice for a replacement: Alan C. Lowe. He currently serves as director of the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, which is part of the National Archives. Lowe has a 20-year career with the Archives, and briefly served as acting director of President Franklin Roosevelt's presidential library and museum.
Lowe wasn't immediately made available for an interview, and Rauner's appointment notice included no comment on his selection.
