Governor Blagojevich's seven million dollars in cuts to parks and historic sites is not sitting well with one local, small town.

Three historic sites in tiny, Bishop Hill are set to close as the Governor Rod Blagojevich tries to close a budget gap.

Merchants are still anticipating a big fall season even though there are big worries.

Visitors come to Bishop Hill for its Swedish-American festivals, restaurants and shops nestled in a colony setting in western Illinois.

"They come here from all over the world and this is a peaceful, quiet, beautiful spot...and when I advertised one year I said don't plan on spending any money today just come and relax," said 30-year merchant Arlene Rigg.

But spending is a big part of visits here. Merchants say about 8,000 people are expected for the upcoming fall festival, and Christmas events draw even bigger crowds.

But, tourists will not be able to visit three historic sites: Colony Church, the old Bjorklund Hotel and Bishop Hill Museum will close October first due to State budget cuts.

"There will be these holes, the entire community won't be in tact. Two of the sites buildings have been restored and they contain artifacts and exhibits about the history," said Martha Downey with Bishop Hill Museum.

Downey says while the shops, food and festivals are a big draw many visitors come also for the art, and history of the small town.

For more than a month now, petitions like this one have been circulated in four counties throughout the state in support of keeping the sites open.

Supporters will give them to state legislators in a book documenting the number of tourists who visited Bishop Hill this year.

"We're hoping it will be very effective, and we're positive about this that things will change and we look to the public for support in terms of what they hope this to be," said Mike Wendel with Bishop HIll Heritage Association.

Wendel and supporters say the message to Governor Blagojevich is that Bishop Hill is more than a town of 125 people but Henry County's top tourist destination.

State Representatives Don Moffitt and Mike Boland have introduced a bill that would restore funding for the Illinois Historic Preservation agency. They plan present it the next time state lawmakers return Springfield, which could be November.