Historic Farmhouse Saga Continues
Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted on May 20, 2010, to reaffirm its support for saving Mumford House, the oldest building on the Urbana-Champaign campus. The action came just a week after university officials had proposed a board resolution that, if passed, would have reversed the Trustees’ ... FULL STORY

“Ten Most” List Announced
Press Conference at State Capitol

Landmarks Illinois announced its list of the 2010 “Ten Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois” at a press conference on April 20th at the State Capitol in Springfield. President Jim Peters introduced each of the threatened sites, along with a representative from each community on the list. ... FULL STORY

News Update
Cook County Hospital Rehab

In July 2010, the Cook County Office of Capital Planning and Policy released a Request for Qualifications for architectural and engineering services for the rehabilitation of Old Cook County Hospital, as well as neighboring Pasteur Park. The RFQ deadline is August 25th.  The nearly century-old building at 1835 W. Harrison ... FULL STORY

Encourage Jobs in Illinois
Support a Rehab Tax Credit

In March, the Illinois Senate passed SB 2559, but the bill did not pass out of the House Revenue Committee. The bill is based on the highly successful Missouri tax credit enacted in 1997, which has generated nearly 40,000 jobs for Missourians. The Illinois tax credit would have allowed a credit ... FULL STORY

Federal Historic Preservation Funds
Help Illinois Communities

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency announced a new round of Certified Local Government Grants (CLG), totaling $103,136, to eleven communities throughout the state, including Chicago, Blue Island, Berwyn, Quincy, Macomb, Rock Island and Jacksonville. Many of the grants will be used for ... FULL STORY

Courthouse Projects Awarded
First Round of Grants include “Lady Justice”

Three counties will receive restoration grants this year from Landmarks Illinois, as part of the first round of the Illinois County Courthouse Initiative. The $1 million multi-year program, which was announced in March 2009, is being funded by the Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust.   ... FULL STORY

Lathrop Homes: RFQ Released
Chicago

On January 7, 2010,  The Habitat Company and the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development teams interested in redeveloping the historic Lathrop Homes, a 30-building complex located at Diversey Parkway and Damen Avenue along the Chicago River  ... FULL STORY

Another Edward Dart Building
Bites the Dust

In early November 2009, the Edward Dart-designed addition to Lorado Taft’s Midway Studio at the University of Chicago (U of C) was demolished to make way for a courtyard for the university’s proposed Reva and David Logan Center for Creative and Performing Arts. While the Studio is a designated ... FULL STORY

Reese Hospital on Life Support

Despite a last-minute attempt to list this Near South Side Chicago medical campus on the National Register of Historic Places, the City of Chicago is continuing with its demolition plans. As of January 2010, half of the eight hospital buildings co-designed by mid-20th century architect Walter Gropius had been demolished—an action that prompted ... FULL STORY

Lewis Pharmacy Purchased by
Canton-born Preservationist

Six months after the last milkshake was served and the soda fountain closed, the historic 1915 Lewis Pharmacy has found a thoughtful new owner. Canton native and historic preservation supporter, Bill Cook, purchased the former Lewis Pharmacy on August 7, 2009 with the intent of rehabilitating and reopening   ... FULL STORY

Operation of Farnsworth House to
Transfer to National Trust

Landmarks Illinois will transfer operation of the Farnsworth House, effective Jan. 1, 2010, to the National Trust, the property’s owner. “This was a difficult decision,” said Jim Peters, president of Landmarks Illinois. “But after six years of operating this historic site—following its dramatic purchase at auction  ... FULL STORY

State Supreme Court Rejects Chicago’s Landmarks Plea

On May 28, 2009, the Illinois Supreme Court rejected the City of Chicago’s petition asking the court to review a January 30th ruling by the Illinois Appellate Court that puts the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance at risk. Landmarks Illinois, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Illinois Attorney   ... FULL STORY