Press Room

Landmarks Illinois Accepts Proposal from Museum of Food and Drink to Showcase Ebony Test Kitchen in Future Exhibition

May 21, 2019

Landmarks Illinois is excited to announce it has accepted a proposal from the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) in Brooklyn, New York, to take possession of the iconic former Ebony Test Kitchen and prominently feature it in its anticipated national exhibition, African/American: Making the Nation’s Table. MOFAD’s proposal was one Landmarks Illinois received from interested parties and organizations during its request for proposal period that ended May 1, 2019. (Photo: Ebony’s Test Kitchen food counter. Credit: Barbara Karant)

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Landmarks Illinois Names 12 Historic Sites to 2019 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

May 1, 2019

Landmarks Illinois announced its 2019 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois at a press conference in Springfield on May 1, 2019. Read our press release to learn about the 12 places LI has included on this year’s list of the state’s top threatened historic sites. (Photo: Millstadt Milling & Feed Company. Credit: Liz Chilsen)

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New short video from Landmarks Illinois focuses on Illinois’ role in the Underground Railroad

February 20, 2019

Landmarks Illinois has released a short video focused on the Underground Railroad in Illinois. The roughly six-minute video, titled “People Saving Places: The Underground Railroad in Illinois,”  was directed by University of Chicago student Catalina Parra and marks the second phase of LI’s student video program. The new video successfully weaves together the collective history of three Illinois Underground Railroad sites and tells the inspiring true stories of Illinois residents and abolitionists helping former slaves find freedom in the mid-19 century.

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LANDMARKS ILLINOIS SEEKS QUALIFIED OWNER, STEWARD OF ICONIC FORMER JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY TEST KITCHEN

February 12, 2019

Landmarks Illinois is looking for a new owner for the one-of-a-kind former Johnson Publishing Company Test Kitchen, designed in 1971 by Palm Springs-based interior designers William Raiser and Arthur Elrod. Today, LI issued issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from qualified institutions, organizations, corporations or other entities interested in accepting ownership of the former test kitchen and reassembling it for educational display or use. Landmarks Illinois acquired the test kitchen in April 2018 for $1 and, with the help of professional volunteers among its membership and from the Skyline Council of Landmarks Illinois, documented, carefully disassembled and removed the kitchen from the Johnson Publishing Company Building. It has been safely kept in storage since. (Photo credit: Lee Bey Architectural Photography)

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LANDMARKS ILLINOIS, NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ADVOCATES FILE LAWSUIT IN ROCK ISLAND REGARDING COURTHOUSE DEMOLITION PROCESS

February 6, 2019

Today, Landmarks Illinois (LI) joined the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Rock Island Preservation Society, the Moline Preservation Society, the Broadway Historic District Association and Rock Island Justice Center bondholder Fred Shaw in filing a lawsuit against the Rock Island County Public Building Commission (PBC) and the Rock Island County Board, to protect the historic Rock Island County Courthouse from unlawful demolition. The lawsuit asks the PBC to be held accountable for violating state preservation law, state law governing the authority and actions of public building commissions, as well as the terms of publicly funded bonds issued to construct the new Justice Center Annex.

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Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction

On February 7, 2019, Landmarks Illinois, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Rock Island Preservation Society, the Moline Preservation Society, the Broadway Historic District Association, and Fred Shaw (“Plaintiffs”) filed a Temporary Restraining Order (“TRO”) and Preliminary Injunction (“Injunction”) in the 14th Circuit Court to temporarily halt demolition of the historic Rock Island County Courthouse. The TRO and Injunction follow Plaintiffs’ filing on February 6, 2018 of a legal Complaint arguing that the Rock Island County Public Building Commission (“PBC”) and Rock Island County Board (“Board”) violated state law and the terms of publicly funded bonds in pursuing the Courthouse’s demolition. Filing the TRO and Injunction is a necessary legal step to stop any demolition action by the PBC and Board while the Compliant is being adjudicated.

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2019 Legendary Landmarks Celebration

January 22, 2019

Landmarks Illinois, a membership-based nonprofit organization advocating for the preservation and reuse of historic and architecturally significant properties throughout the state, will host its 14^th annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration the evening of Thursday, March 7, 2019, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

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LI Letter to Rock Island County Public Building Commission, Jan. 16, 2019

January 16, 2019

On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, Landmarks Illinois (LI) sent a letter to the Rock Island County Public Building Commission to reiterate our position that the commission is not authorized to demolish the historic Rock Island County Courthouse until all state approvals and local permits have been issued. Landmarks Illinois believes the letter speaks for itself. We expect that public bodies will follow the law. We urge that in the interim they give consideration to soliciting proposals from private, public or institutional investors for adaptive reuse. LI stands ready to assist with information on financial incentives and adaptive reuse options, so this significant historic building continues to inspire future generations.

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Landmarks Illinois’ Latest Round of Grant Funding Provides Nearly $42,000 in Support to Statewide Historic Preservation Projects

October 16, 2018

Landmarks Illinois has announced its latest round of grant recipients through the organization’s Preservation Heritage Fund and the Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation grant programs. Five grants totaling $10,000 have been awarded through the Preservation Heritage Fund and five grants amounting to $31,900 were awarded through LI’s WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program. (Pictured: Claremont Cottages in Chicago)

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Landmarks Illinois Announces 2018 Preservation Awards Recipients, Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Annual Awards Program

August 1, 2018

Landmarks Illinois has announced the recipients of the 2018 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards – an annual program that calls attention to exceptional historic preservation projects in the state now celebrating its 25th anniversary. (Pictured: 2018 Award Recipient Revel Motor Row)

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Landmarks Illinois Provides Nearly $35,000 in Support to Nine Historic Preservation Projects through Latest Round of Grant Funding

June 28, 2018

Landmarks Illinois has awarded nearly $35,000 in grant funding to historic preservation projects in Illinois. Nine matching grants have been awarded in the latest round of funding through Landmarks Illinois’ three grant programs: the Preservation Heritage Fund, Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund and the WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program.

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Landmarks Illinois Preserves Ebony Test Kitchen from Johnson Publishing Company Building

June 11, 2018

Landmarks Illinois is working to preserve the iconic Ebony test kitchen from the former Johnson Publishing Company Building, a Chicago landmark. Landmarks Illinois recently acquired the test kitchen and materials for $1 and, with the help of volunteer professionals from its Skyline Council, disassembled the kitchen and removed it from the former headquarters of the Johnson Publishing Company. (Photo credit: Lewis Purdy)

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Illinois General Assembly Passes Bill to Improve and Expand Historic Tax Credit Program

On May 31, 2018, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill to improve and expand the existing River Edge Redevelopment Zone Historic Tax Credit (RERZ). The bill amends the RERZ to enhance its usability and establishes a new statewide Historic Preservation Tax Credit across Illinois. The RERZ and Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit bills have been supported by Landmarks Illinois and the American Institute of Architects-Illinois since 2009. Both organizations provided language, testimony, research and expertise on tax credit best practices for the bill authors.

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Landmarks Illinois encourages nonprofits and government agencies to apply for funding for WWI monument restoration

Landmarks Illinois is encouraging communities across Illinois to apply to the final round of funding through the Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation Grant Program. The grant program provides financial support to WWI outdoor monuments and memorials in Illinois in need of restoration to recover their dedication-era quality and appearance. Grant applications for the final round of funding are due August 15, 2018.

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2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

Landmarks Illinois announced its 2018 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois on April 25, 2018, at a press conference in Springfield. Read the full press release to see which sites are included on this year’s ‘Most Endangered’ list.

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Thompson Center Reimagined

Landmarks Illinois included the James R. Thompson Center on its annual Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois in 2017 and again this year in 2018, demonstrating its extraordinary significance. As part of its 2018 ‘Most Endangered’ listing, Landmarks Illinois has commissioned renderings that visually demonstrate Thompson Center’s ability to be privately redeveloped as an exciting mixed-use destination.

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Landmarks Illinois’ Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program provides $15,800 in monetary support to five historic preservation projects

Landmarks Illinois has awarded $15,800 to five historic preservation projects in Illinois in the latest round of funding through its Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Program. Individual grant amounts range from $1,300 to $5,000 each for historic preservation efforts in the following communities: Bolingbrook, Elmhurst, Lombard, DuPage County and Shelbyville.

(Pictured: Governor John Wood Mansion in Quincy)

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2018 Legendary Landmarks Celebration Wrap-Up

Landmarks Illinois gathered with its closest supporters, friends and historic preservation advocates at the 2018 Legendary Landmarks Celebration on March 8, 2018. More than 830 people joined Landmarks Illinois for its 13th annual fundraiser and enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dessert, networking, entertainment and tributes to the 2018 Legendary Landmarks, who have made a positive impact on our city and state. The 2018 Legendary Landmarks Celebration raised over $850,000 in proceeds for Landmarks Illinois, which is used to fund the nonprofit’s Advocacy Program – the heart of LI’s work.

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2018 Legendary Landmarks Celebration

Landmarks Illinois will host its 13th annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration the evening of Thursday, March 8, 2018, at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave.Each year, Landmarks Illinois’ Legendary Landmarks Celebration honors civic and cultural leaders who are making an impact on Chicago and Illinois. Landmarks Illinois’ 2018 Legendary Landmarks Honorees are: Berglund Construction, our 2018 “Corporate Landmark,” with the honor being accepted by third-generation Owner Fred Berglund; Daniel Levin, Founder and Chairman of The Habitat Company; and Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President.

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LANDMARKS ILLINOIS LETTER REGARDING OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS

On January 5, 2018, Landmarks Illinois wrote a letter to Abby Monroe, Coordinating Planner City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development, regarding the response to request for comments on the proposed APE boundaries and APE historic features for the Obama Presidential Center Mobility Improvements.

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Landmarks Illinois Awards $32,500 in Funding to Latest Round of Grant Recipients

Landmarks Illinois is awarding $32,500 total to eight Illinois preservation projects in its latest round of grant funding through the Preservation Heritage Fund, Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund and Landmarks Illinois WWI Monument Preservation grant programs.

(Pictured: The Mott Building in Elsah, one of Landmarks Illinois’ recent grant recipients.)

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Cultural Historian Tim Samuelson Leads Free Lecture at Dana-Thomas House in Springfield, Hosted by Landmarks Illinois and Illinois Department of National Resources

Landmarks Illinois has partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division to host a lecture led by Tim Samuelson, Cultural Historian for the City of Chicago, at the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.

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Landmarks Illinois' Small Preservation Grants Create Big Impact at State Historic Sites

A new analysis of the nearly 200 grants Landmarks Illinois has awarded over the past 33 years shows recipients were able to use the LI funding to ultimately save an important historic resource and to leverage additional funds needed to finish a large-scale historic preservation project. A new study prepared by PlaceEconomics for Landmarks Illinois, called “No Small Change: The Grant Programs of Landmarks Illinois,” reviewed a total of 192 grants awarded between 1984 and 2017 through three Landmarks Illinois grant programs: The Endangered Building grant program, the Preservation Heritage Fund, and the Barbara C. Thomas E. Donnelley II grant program.

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Landmarks Illinois Statement on Governor Signing RERZ Historic Tax Credit Extension

On Friday, August 18, 2017, Governor Bruce Rauner signed Senate Bill 1783, which extends the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Historic Tax Credit through 2021. Landmarks Illinois applauds the governor for extending this vital historic preservation incentive in Illinois. (Photo: Aurora St. Charles Senior Living in Aurora is one beneficiary of the tax credit, and is being honored by Landmarks Illinois at our 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. credit: Leslie Schwartz)

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LI, Kennedy-King College and Vamonde partner to share inspiring stories of people saving places

Landmarks Illinois has partnered with the place-based storytelling platform Vamonde to share the inspiring stories included in a recent video project produced in collaboration with Kennedy-King College students.

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LANDMARKS ILLINOIS WILL HONOR NINE STATEWIDE PRESERVATION PROJECTS AT SEPT. 16 AWARDS CEREMONY

Landmarks Illinois announced the recipients of the 2017 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards. Every year, the awards pay tribute to inspiring individuals and organizations that put forth extraordinary effort to elevate historic preservation practice and advocacy in Illinois. Read the full press release for more about each award-winning historic preservation project. (Pictures: Joliet Central High School Student Center Addition)

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July 24 Statement Wheaton City Council

Landmarks Illinois Director of Advocacy Lisa DiChiera gave a statement to the Wheaton City Council on July 24 regarding a special use permit request for a planned unit development. The request would allow a local Wheaton couple to move the historic House of Seven Gables to a new location to prevent the home from being demolished.

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Landmarks Illinois Announces First Recipients of WWI Memorial Grant Program

Landmarks Illinois has awarded the first round of funding through the Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program. The City of Aurora and the Second Indianhead Division Association are recipients of the recently launched grant program that provides monetary assistance to preserve World War I outdoor monuments and memorials in Illinois.

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Landmarks Illinois awards $31,500 in funding during first half of 2017 through annual grant programs

Landmarks Illinois today announced $31,500 in grant funding for a dozen historic preservation projects in Illinois through its Preservation Heritage Fund and Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund grant programs.

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Landmarks Illinois Will Honor Cedar Street Companies at Cocktail Reception at the Rehabilitated Bush Temple in Chicago

Landmarks Illinois’ Real Estate and Building Industries Council (RBIC) will honor Cedar Street Companies at its 2017 RBIC event on July 25, 2017 at the rehabilitated Bush Temple of Music in Chicago. Read the full press release for details on the event and Cedar Street’s adaptive reuse projects.

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Meet "People Saving Places" Student Interns from Kennedy-King College

Read the extended Q&A article with Kennedy-King College student filmmakers to learn about their experience creating a series of videos for Landmarks Illinois’ “People Saving Places” video project. A shorter version of this article published in our June 2017 print newsletter, The Arch.

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LI President Bonnie McDonald Testifies in Support of RERZ Historic Tax Credit Extension Bill

On April 12, 2017, Landmarks Illinois President & CEO Bonnie McDonald testified before the House Revenue & Finance Committee at a subject matter hearing in Chicago in support of bipartisan legislation to extend the River Edge Redevelopment Zone Historic Tax Credit (Pictured: Bonnie McDonald testifying, with local preservationist and economic development professional, Janet Mathis, in the background representing Renew Moline.)

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Landmarks Illinois announces 2017 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

Landmarks Illinois announced its 2017 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois on April 6, 2017, at a press conference in Springfield. Read the full press release to learn which historic sites around the state were named to this year’s list. (Pictured: James R. Thompson Center, Chicago. Credit: Landmarks Illinois)

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2017 Legendary Landmarks Celebration Wrap-Up

Landmarks Illinois and 755 guests, including longtime LI supporters, fellow historic preservation advocates, local officials and our 2017 Legendary Landmark Honorees, gathered at the Hilton Chicago on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, for the 12th Legendary Landmarks Celebration. Read more about our event and see photos from the evening. (Photo: 2017 Legendary Landmarks Daniel McCaffery, Richard Hunt and Fred Eychaner at Landmarks Illinois’ Legendary Landmarks Celebration, held March 15, 2017, at the Hilton Chicago. Credit: Diane Alexander White Photography)

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Landmarks Illinois Launches New WWI Monument Grant Program

On March 21, 2017, Landmarks Illinois announced a new grant program to provide monetary assistance to preserve World War I outdoor monuments and memorials within the state of Illinois.

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Letter to Wheaton Planning & Zoning Board Regarding the House of Seven Gables

On Feb. 13, 2017, Landmarks Illinois submitted a letter to the Wheaton Planning & Zoning Board that advocates for the reuse of the Jarvis Hunt-designed House of Seven Gables in the proposed redevelopment of the Loretto Convent property. The letter urges the Board and staff to work with the developer to redevelop the property while retaining the historic building.

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2017 Legendary Landmarks Celebration

Landmarks Illinois will host its annual Legendary Landmarks Celebration the evening of March 15, 2017 at the Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave. Now in its 12th year, the celebration pays tribute to civic and cultural leaders who are making a mark on Chicago and beyond. Read the full press release to learn more about the event and this year’s Legendary Landmarks Honorees.

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Landmarks Illinois Statement: Public Documents Show YWCA Demolition More Costly Than Rehab

Landmarks Illinois believes recently released public documents on the Springfield City Clerk’s website show that reuse of the YWCA building in the Central Springfield Historic District would be more economically feasible than demolition of the structure.

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Landmarks Illinois’ Statement on City’s sound insulation program in Norwood Park

Landmarks Illinois believes the City of Chicago’s federally funded sound insulation program for designated residences within the Norwood Park Historic District provides homeowners with the proper resources to sound insulate their houses while maintaining the historic character of the structure. Read our full statement for why we believe this program is a smart and deserving investment in a nationally recognized historic community. (photo credit: Gabriel X. Michael)

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2016 Real Estate and Building Industries Council Event

Landmarks Illinois will present Amtrak with its 2016 Real Estate and Building Industries Council (RBIC) Award at a cocktail networking reception Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. in the newly restored Burlington Room at Chicago Union Station.

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Landmarks Illinois' Statement on Loretto Convent Property Development Plans in Wheaton

On November 14, 2016, Landmarks Illinois submitted a statement to the Wheaton City Council regarding a Planned Unit Development proposal for the Loretto Convent property. The plans call for demolition of the historic House of Seven Gables, a home LI has placed on its Chicagoland Watch List in the past and one we believe exceptionally important both architecturally and historically to the city of Wheaton.

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Elgin Laundry Building Reuse Study

Landmarks Illinois, in partnership with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) and the City of Elgin, released a study that explores reuse opportunities for the Elgin Laundry Building, a unique accordion-shaped facility designed by Bertrand Goldberg and built on the former Elgin Mental Health Hospital grounds. The study identifies how the currently unused Elgin Laundry Building could be reused as a multipurpose recreational facility.

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St. Boniface Saved - Landmarks Illinois' statement on the news

After 17 years of advocacy, the historic former St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church in Chicago’s Near Northwest Side neighborhood will finally have a new life. On Friday, Sept. 23, the Chicago Department of Planning and Development announced the church had been purchased by Chicago developer Stas Development, saving the historic building from demolition.

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2016 RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS

September 22, 2016

Landmarks Illinois will honor nine exceptional historic preservation projects next month at the Landmarks Illinois 2016 Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards Celebration Saturday, October 22, 2016 at Venue One in Chicago.

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Historic Preservation at 50: Chicago and the Future of the Movement

Glessner House Museum, Landmarks Illinois and AIA Chicago will hold a day-long symposium, Historic Preservation at 50: Chicago and the Future of the Movement, Saturday, October 8, focused on the future of historic preservation in Chicago and honoring the preservation efforts of our past.

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