State House and Senate Vote to Reverse Historic Sites Cut

Landmarks Illinois Urges Public to Fax, Email, and Call Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

On September 23, during a special session of the Illinois Senate, the body passed two bills that would restore cuts the Governor made this summer in the budget of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. If passed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, the cuts would keep over a dozen historic sites throughout Illinois from closing their doors in November and save hundreds of state workers from being laid off.

Chicagoland Watch List Announced

13 Endangered Historic Sites Range from a Frank Lloyd Wright House to Quickly Vanishing Neon Signs

Landmarks Illinois, the state’s leading voice for historic preservation, announced its 7th annual Chicagoland Watch List today, revealing the focus of the organization’s advocacy efforts in the Chicago metropolitan area during the next year. The list contains an array of structures including what would be the first intact Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence to be demolished in the U.S. in over 30 years, several structures by modernist architect Bertrand Goldberg, former Vice President Charles Gates Dawes’ 1894 French Chateaux-style mansion, neon signs and more.
 

Photos: Prentice Women’s Hospital, Chicago. Credit: Hedrich Blessing; Yunker School, Orland Park. Credit: Landmarks Illinois; Z Frank sign, Chicago. Credit: Landmarks Illinois

“This eclectic list of historic structures shows the range of preservation issues we are facing throughout the Chicago metropolitan area,” said Landmarks Illinois President and CEO, Jim Peters. “This list complements the statewide ‘Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois’ list we announce each spring and establishes the advocacy focus for our dedicated board of directors, staff and members.” To learn more…

Farnsworth House Floods From Record-Breaking Rains

Now Open for Special Tours

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's famous modern masterpiece, the Farnsworth House, fell prey to Mother Nature Sunday, September 14, as flood waters rose almost two feet over the top deck, entering the house. Built within the flood plain of the Fox River in Plano, Illinois, the house is supported by columns more than five feet above the ground which proved not high enough as record breaking rain amounts brought the river more than 14 feet above its normal level.

Despite ongoing efforts to repair the house, its doors are once again open through October 29, 2008 for special tours designed to raise funds for mounting restoration costs. Site director tours on Wednesdays and special weekend tours offer visitors with a first-hand look at interior house damage, property damage, and a rare look at the interior of the Farnsworth House without the controversial teak wardrobe.

Click here  to see what times and dates are available for the weekend tour, or to sign up for a Wednesday site director tour.

The Design Studio of Alfonso Iannelli

Sam Guard, will speak at the October 16, 2008, Preservation Snapshot presentation: Enriching the Prairie Spirit: The design studio in Park Ridge Illinois of Alfonso Iannelli.

Hear Guard discuss Iannelli’s work in the Chicago Area, including the history and current threats to his Park Ridge studios, whose associates included Bruce Goff and Edgar Miller.

This talk will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Theater, second floor of the Chicago Cultural Center.  [MORE]

Buildings For Sale Of Historic Interest

 

Imperiled Buildings

Eyes and Ears

Regional Advisers serve as Landmarks Illinois' “eyes and ears” around the state. Landmarks looks to its advisers to inform Landmarks  of an issue and to provide basic information that will help the Landmarks Illinois staff determine, in consultation with the adviser, how best to respond.   [MORE]

Ten state regions