Landmarks Illinois’ Preservation Heritage Fund grant program provides monetary assistance to significant structures or sites in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or reuse evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. Created in 2004, the program targets projects focusing on engineering, architectural and feasibility studies, stabilization, legal services, survey and National Register Nominations and preservation ordinance support. Preservation Heritage Fund grants are awarded twice a year. Read more about the recipients of the grant program below. Click here to see all previous Preservation Heritage Fund grant recipients.
2026 Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Recipients
Announced June 2026
Barakah Muslim Association of Greater Chicago, Chicago
GRANT AMOUNT: $5,000
The former Epworth United Methodist Church has served as a spiritual anchor of Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood since its construction in 1891. In December of 2023, Barakah Muslim Association of Greater Chicago purchased the church to open a mosque, providing a sanctuary for the city’s Muslim community. Barakah Chicago has been awarded a preliminary $235,000 grant through the City of Chicago’s Adopt-A-Landmark program specifically for roof replacement. However, to access these funds and proceed with construction, the project requires detailed architectural drawings and specifications that comply with permitting requirements. The grant funding from Landmarks Illinois will be used to support these critical pre-construction costs, including engaging a qualified architect to prepare drawings, assess existing conditions and develop a scope of work aligned with preservation standards.
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Lemont Area Historical Society, Lemont
GRANT AMOUNT: $5,000
The Lemont Area Historical Society operates in a former Methodist church built in 1861 from Lemont limestone. It is the oldest church structure in Lemont. The building contains a museum dedicated to local history. It is both a local landmark and included in the National Register of Historic Places. The historical society will use Landmarks Illinois grant funds for its “Save our Steeple” project, which will repair and repaint the church building’s prominent steeple. The repairs will prevent additional water from infiltrating the historic building, which could damage historical artifacts.
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Johnson County Revitalization Corporation, Vienna
GRANT AMOUNT: $5,000
The Johnson County Revitalization Corporation is an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to stabilizing, preserving and redeveloping the Johnson County Courthouse in Vienna, Illinois. Landmarks Illinois included the historic courthouse on its 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois due to immediate stabilization and maintenance needs. Built in 1871 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Johnson County Courthouse was the oldest continually operating courthouse in Illinois until it closed in 2023 after a roof truss fractured. The Johnson County Revitalization Corporation will use the Landmarks Illinois grant funding to conduct a comprehensive architectural and engineering assessment on the courthouse, which will help develop long-term restoration plans for the building.
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On Point Revival, Warsaw
GRANT AMOUNT: $5,000
On Point Revival is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings in Warsaw, Illinois, to provide economic development, affordable housing for residents and seniors, while preserving the cultural identity of the community. The group is working to restore Saenger Hall, a two-story brick structure constructed in 1872 and located in the National Register-listed Warsaw Historic District. The building historically served as a community gathering space, and On Point Revival wants to return it to a venue for art classes, local markets and other public events. The organization will use the Landmarks Illinois grant fund to replace the roof of Saenger Hall to prevent additional water infiltration into the building.
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Wayne Historical Preservation Society, Wayne
GRANT AMOUNT: $2,600
For the past decade, the Wayne Historical Preservation Society has been restoring the Wayne Depot with the goal of opening the 1,000-square-foot building as a local museum and community space to host meetings, events and educational opportunities. The Cobb & Frost- designed former train depot was built in 1884 to service the Chicago and North Western Railroad. In 1950, after passenger service stopped, the station was moved to private property to save it from demolition. In 2007, the Wayne Depot was returned to its original location along the Chicago and Northwestern (now Union Pacific) Railroad tracks, and the Wayne Historical Preservation Society began restoring the property. The grant funds from Landmarks Illinois will be used to purchase an ADA chairlift that will allow disabled guests to access the bathroom and historical collection on the lower level.
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