Strife between labor and management at Chicago History Museum leads to reduction in research hours offered.
The Chicago History Museum's Abakanowicz Research Centre, a hub for academic and public research, is currently undergoing significant changes. Staff members are facing reduced hours, leading to a loss of health insurance and a substantial portion of their income. This reduction coincides with a 50% decrease in the centre's operating hours, with the library, housing archival holdings like police records and personal papers of notable figures, now open only three days a week during limited hours.
These developments are part of a broader financial strain on cultural institutions in Chicago. In July, museum officials announced reduced hours for remaining staff. The financial strain is reported to limit free programs and resources for museums and other arts organizations. In 2025, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events lost about one third of its budget, leading to significant challenges for Chicago's cultural institutions, including reduced funding and programming cuts impacting their operations and cultural offerings.
The Chicago History Museum's staffing reductions are also tied to a labor dispute. Employees at the museum voted to unionize under Chicago History Museum Workers United in February. However, several staff members involved in the organizing effort were later dismissed.
The loss of funding for Illinois Humanities was due to cuts from the National Endowment for the Humanities by the Trump administration. Illinois Humanities, a cultural institution, lost approximately $2 million in federal funding in April 2025, which is about one-third of its budget.
The Chicago Sun-Times and Block Club Chicago have reported on these developments, highlighting the challenges facing cultural institutions in the city. Museum officials have not specified when or if full staffing and hours will be restored at the Chicago History Museum's Abakanowicz Research Centre.
Despite the challenges, the research centre continues to handle a high volume of requests. In 2024, the research staff at the Chicago History Museum's Abakanowicz Research Centre handled over 5,500 requests from university researchers, students, artists, and members of the public. The centre remains a valuable resource for academic and public research, even as it navigates through these difficult times.
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