In a move designed to assure the future of the DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville, Illinois, US, the museum has been bought by the city council for US$3m (£1.9m).

Together with state funding of around US$2m (£1.3m), a US$250,000 (£158,000) contribution from DuPage County and more than US$700,000 (£441,000) from private contributors, the proceeds of the sale will help the museum - which has been struggling financially because of major capital debt - stay afloat. Naperville City Council approved the purchase at its regular council meeting on 5 October. As a result of the transaction, which council members have defended in the face of opposition from those who say the museum has always operated at a loss, the city has acquired 3 acres of key downtown property for less than half its current value.

It has also gained more than 50 parking spaces which, given the museum's proximity to the second busiest Metra station on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe commuter rail line, the city anticipates using to provide extra commuter parking. For the past few years, the museum - which attracts more than 300,000 visitors a year - has received on average over US$300,000 (£189,000) in annual support from the city's Special Events Cultural Amenities fund. With the city taking ownership, this will be reduced to US$150,000 (£95,000).

City manager Doug Krieger said: "The decision to keep Chicagoland's best museum here in Naperville is the right thing to do for our children and is also a sound fiscal investment."