State Rep. Travis Weaver, center, met in Galva Wednesday afternoon with City Administrator David Dyer, left, and Galva resident Al Anderson. [Photo by Mike Berry]

BISHOP HILL — Some of the historic places in Bishop Hill are in dire need of repairs. But officials at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) have said they don’t have the money in their budget to fix the facilities.

There is hope that the repairs could be done in the coming months, however. State Rep. Travis Weaver met Wednesday with Bishop Hill officials, and afterward he said the Bishop Hill repairs are now at number six on the IDNR’s priority list for projects at its facilities.

Bishop Hill officials have long called for the state’s help to restore some of the buildings, which date back more than 150 years. For example, the paint has chipped off the siding of the Colony Church, and there are spots inside the church where plaster has fallen from the ceiling. The fence around the park in Bishop Hill needs to be repaired or replaced.

Following his meeting in Bishop Hill, Weaver met with city officials in Galva and said the total cost of fixing up the Bishop Hill properties is around $1.5 million.

While not indicating when the repairs might begin, Weaver said the money has been allocated for the state’s 2024 fiscal year, which starts this July 1.