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State Could Add Memorial Near Lincoln Tomb

World War Two Memorial, Springfield
The memorial that honors World War II veterans, at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. (Illinois Historic Preservation Agency)

(CBS) -- Abraham Lincoln's final resting place could get some company.

Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield is billed as the second most visited cemetery in the country and already has memorials for veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, in addition to Lincoln's Tomb.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency is looking for public input at a hearing from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at its headquarters in Springfield about adding to that.

The agency maintains the 5-acre site that the memorials and the tomb sit upon, but not the rest of the cemetery.

State Considers Another Memorial Near Lincoln Tomb

Agency spokesman Chris Wills says they've received requests and are open to honoring more veterans, but any future memorials will likely have to include private funding for maintenance.

Given current budget constraints, he says the agency is already working to find savings by sharing staff and other efficiencies.

He says ideas from the public hearing will be passed on to trustees for their meeting next month and could be finalized by June.

Korean War Memorial, Springfield
The Korean War Memorial at Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery. (Illinois Historic Preservation Agency)
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