MIKE RIOPELL - H&R Springfield Bureau Writer

SPRINGFIELD - A group of historic re-enactors protested at the Illinois Capitol on Wednesday in an effort to keep state parks and historic sites open.

About two dozen parks and historic sites are set for closure at the end of the month as part of Gov. Rod Blagojevich's budget-cutting plans.

Southern Illinois University doctoral student Dan Hechenberger was among the protesters, saying staff at historic sites in particular can help teachers make history lessons more interesting.

Hechenberger said many students don't perk up at the thought of learning history, but hands-on experience can help.

"They can help bring it alive for the kids," Hechenberger said.

The protest came on the same day hundreds of prison workers and their families gathered in the Capitol to fight the governor's plan to close Pontiac Correctional Center.

Lawmakers have tried to send more money to Blagojevich in an effort to keep the sites and parks open past Nov. 30, but Blagojevich said Tuesday he wants to cut the state budget even more.

mike.riopell@lee.net|789-0865