Since 1995, Landmarks Illinois has asked preservationists, community leaders and concerned citizens throughout the state to nominate threatened or endangered historic properties for its annual list, the Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. The purpose of the list is to focus attention on sites threatened by deterioration, lack of maintenance, insufficient funds or inappropriate development and to bolster local advocacy efforts and build support for each property’s eventual preservation. The Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois list also draws attention to important policy issues that affect these properties and historic properties throughout the state.
Landmarks Illinois announced this year’s top threatened places in the state at a virtual press conference on April 20, 2022. Read below to learn about the 2022 Most Endangered sites.
Two highly visible, early 20th-century commercial buildings at 202-220 S. State St., which sit within the National Register-listed Loop Retail Historic District, face demolition by the federal government. Previous redevelopment plans were halted due to security concerns by the adjacent federal courts, but demolition will leave a noticeable hole in the downtown State Street corridor. See photos here.
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The picturesque, late 19th-century home once used as a “Watchman’s Residence” for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County sits at the southern edge of Dan Ryan Woods and is part of the National Register-listed Ridge Historic District. The house is vacant and deteriorating and requires an outside user and investor. See photos here.
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Built in 1969 and designed by Otto Stark of C.F. Murphy Associates in partnership with Krugel, Healy & Moore Architects, the Brutalist building is at risk of demolition due to Will County’s current lack of interest to explore reuse opportunities for the architecturally significant, but vacant structure. See photos here.
Support preservation efforts at the Will County Courthouse by purchasing a “World’s Ugliest” t-shirt from Courthouse Preservation Partnership
A former community meeting space built in 1912, the architecturally significant but long-vacant structure faces demolition by neglect. The building, which serves as an important gateway to the West Downtown Rockford Historic District where revitalization and reinvestment is booming, requires emergency repairs as well as a rehabilitation and reuse plan. See photos here.
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A 60-acre, Prairie-style public park sitting along Lake Michigan that features naturalist landscapes and open space beloved by locals. The Wilmette Park District is however considering changes to the 107-year old park that would alter its passive design and remove greenery to add more roads and parking. See photos here.
Learn More- Altgeld Gardens, Shop Building (pictured) and School Buildings C & E, Chicago
- James R. Thompson Center, Chicago
- Klas Restaurant, Cicero
- Illinois Terminal Interurban Station, Decatur
- Broadview Hotel, East St. Louis
- Scott Foresman Headquarters, Glenview
- Havana Water Tower, Havana
- Joliet Steel Mill Main Office Building, Joliet
- Green Book Sites in Illinois, Statewide
- Chicago Town and Tennis Building, Chicago
- James R. Thompson Center, Chicago
- Sheffield National Register Historic District, Chicago
- Washington Park National Bank, Chicago
- St. Mary’s School, Galena
- Booth Cottage, Glencoe
- Hoover Estate, Glencoe
- Millstadt Milling & Feed Company, Millstadt (pictured)
- Hill Motor Sales Building, Oak Park
- Chancery and Piety Hill properties, Rockford
- Rock Island County Courthouse, Rock Island
- Ray House, Rushville
- Greek Housing at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
*2019 marked the 25th Anniversary of Landmarks Illinois' annual Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. Visit our special anniversary webpage to learn about the program's impact on preservation in Illinois and read success stories.
Most Endangered 25th Anniversary- The Forum, Chicago
- James R. Thompson Center, Chicago
- Second Church of Christ, Scientist, Chicago
- Chautauquas & Tabernacles, Des Plaines, Freeport and Shelbyville (pictured)
- State Fairgrounds, Du Quoin and Springfield
- Varsity Theater Block, Evanston
- The Nite Spot Café, Fairmont City
- Central Congregational Church, Galesburg
- Early Settlement-era Buildings, Geneva
- Kincaid Mounds, Massac and Pope Counties
- Old Nichols Library, Naperville
- Rock Island County Courthouse, Rock Island County
- Stran-Steel House, Wilmette
- James R. Thompson Center, Chicago
- O'Hare Rotunda Building, Chicago
- Singer Pavilion, Chicago
- Ryan's Round Barn, Henry County (pictured)
- McKee House, Lombard
- Norway Temperance Hall, Norway
- Federal Historic Tax Credit, Statewide
- Historic Bridges, Statewide
- Route 66, Statewide
- World War I Monuments, Statewide
- Central High School and Neighborhood, Champaign
- Citizens Savings and Loan Association Building, East Alton (pictured)
- Cornell Store and Flats, Chicago
- Harley Clarke Mansion, Evanston
- Historic Neighborhood Schools, Highland Park and Rockford
- Illinois Youth Center Auditorium and Gymnasium, St. Charles
- Lakewood Farms, Wauconda
- Massac County Courthouse, Metropolis
- Salem Armory, Salem
- St. Aldalbert Church, and Chicago's Historic Catholic Churches, Chicago
- YWCA Building, Springfield
- Arnold-Crowe House, Chicago (pictured)
- Black Hawk Statue, Oregon
- Bowen Building, Peoria State Hospital, Bartonville
- Central Park Theater, Chicago
- Condell House, Springfield
- William H. Coventry House & Barn, Harvard
- Historic Properties in River Edge Redevelopment Zones, Statewide
- Mid-Century Modern Homes, Statewide
- Schulze Bakery, Chicago
- St. James Academy, Lemont
- Thatchot House, Herrin
- U.S. Marine Hospital, Galena
- Camp Algonquin, Unincorporated McHenry County
- McAuley Schoolhouse, West Chicago (pictured)
- Robertson Building, Virginia
- Hamilton School, Otterville
- Uptown Theatre, Chicago
- Halsted and Willow Gateway, Chicago
- Central Manufacturing District, Chicago
- Hotel Belleville, Belleville
- Old Millstadt Water Tower, Millstadt
- Special 11th Designation Federal Historic Tax Credit Program, Statewide
- Chicago Bascule Bridges, Chicago
- Community Mausoleums, Statewide
- Gage House, Winnetka
- Lincoln Colored Home, Springfield (pictured)
- Madison Theater, Peoria
- Mineola Hotel, Fox Lake
- Miner’s Institute, Collinsville
- Muddy Waters Residence, Chicago
- Newcomb Hotel, Quincy
- Joel Wiant House, West Chicago
- Blair House, Lake Bluff
- Bresee Tower, Danville
- Bruch-Guertler House , Alton
- Fox River Country Day School, Elgin
- Freeport City Hall, Freeport
- Historic Neighborhood Schools, Statewide
- Hotel Guyon, Chicago
- Marbold Farmstead, Greenview
- Maywood Home for Soldier’s Widows, Maywood
- Prentice Women’s Hospital, Chicago (pictured)
- Belleville Turner Hall, Belleville
- Bolivia Road Bridge, Bolivia
- Iannelli Home and Studio, Park Ridge
- New Regal Theater, Chicago
- Prentice Women's Hospital, Chicago
- Sheriff's Residence and Jail, Paxton
- Soper-Burr House, Bloomington
- Streator Catholic Churches, Streator
- West End Settlement House, Rock Island
- Will Rogers Theater, Charleston (pictured)
- Bass-Mollett House, Greenville
- Chanute Headquarters and Mess Hall, Rantoul
- Illinois Main Street Program, Statewide
- Manske-Niemann Farm, Litchfield
- Massac Theater, Metropolis
- North Pullman, Chicago (pictured)
- Prentice Women’s Hospital, Chicago
- Red Cliff, Moline
- St. Laurence Complex, Chicago
- Uptown Theatre, Chicago
- Arcade Building, Riverside
- Archer House, Marshall
- Aurora Masonic Temple, Aurora
- Chautauqua Auditorium, Shelbyville
- Davenport, Rock Island & Northwestern Depot, Moline
- Lewis Pharmacy Interior, Canton
- Michael Reese Hospital Campus, Chicago
- Porthole Barns of Greene County, Green Co.
- Prentice Women's Hospital, Chicago
- Shawneetown Bank, Old Shawneetown (pictured)
- Chicago Landmarks Ordinance, Chicago
- Adams Memorial Library, Wheaton
- Assembly Hall, Urbana-Champaign
- Burlingame House, Eden
- Chicago Daily News Building, Chicago
- Germania Club and Theatre, Chicago
- Gunners' Mates School, North Chicago
- Michigan Avenue Streetwall, Chicago
- The Mill, Lincoln
- Spoon River Bridge, Bernadotte
- Ursuline Academy, Springfield
- Wrigley Field, Chicago (pictured)
- Barat College's Sacred Heart Chapel, Lake Forest
- Broadwell Tavern, Pleasant Plains
- Cedar Court, Park Ridge
- Duncan Manor, Towanda
- Germania Hall, Freeport
- Lakeshore Athletic Club, Chicago
- Lathrop Homes, Chicago (pictured)
- Longfellow Elementary School, Rock Island
- Robinson Auditorium/Gymnasium, Robinson
- Viking Ship, Geneva
- Campana Building, Batavia
- Green County Almshouse, Carrollton
- Montgomery House, Glen Carbon
- Mumford House, Urbana (pictured)
- Pickford Theater Building, Chicago
- Religious Structures of Douglas Boulevard, Chicago
- Rock Island Arsenal Structures, Rock Island
- Spring Street Historic Corridor, Galena
- Trail of Tears Encampment, Buncombe
- Westinghouse High School, Chicago
- Pilgrim Baptist Church, Chicago
- John Parke Gillett Memorial Arch, Elkhart
- Jewelers Row Historic District, Chicago
- Lincoln Hall, Urbana
- Old Lincoln School, Rock Island
- River Forest Women’s Club, River Forest
- Tuscan Masonic Lodge, Carbondale
- Universalist Unitarian Church, Peoria
- Veterans Memorial Pool, Dixon
- Westgate Street, Oak Park
- Zook Home & Studio, Hinsdale
- Cook County Hospital, Chicago (pictured)
- Eldred House, Eldred
- Fuller Geodesic Dome House, Carbondale
- Henneberry Farmstead, Oswego
- Northeast Evanston Historic District, Evanston
- Palm Tavern, Chicago (pictured)
- Plainfield's Early Settlement Structures, Plainfield
- Promontory Point/Monroe Harbor, Chicago
- St. Leo Catholic Church, Chicago
- Steel Plant Structures along the Calumet River, Chicago
- Judge Taylor House, Springfield
- Cook County Hospital, Chicago
- Alton City Hall, Alton
- Cook County Hospital, Chicago
- Emmert (“Spring”) House, Mount Carroll
- Des Plaines Methodist Camp Ground, Des Plaines
- Hayes-Healy Gymnasium, Chicago
- Hibbard “Cupola” House, Marengo
- Illinois Central Railroad Depot, Mattoon
- Kendall County Sheriff's Residence & Jail, Yorkville (pictured)
- Metropolitan Community Church and Rectories, Chicago
- Streator Township High School, Streator
- Farnsworth House, Plano
- Nathan W. Huntley Residence, Chicago
- Big Rock Township Farms, Big Rock
- Eagle Hotel, Wilmington
- Prairie Dell Church, Watseka
- Rosenwald Apartments, Chicago
- Loyola University Mallinckrodt Campus, Wilmette (pictured)
- Moses King Brick & Tile Works, Colchester
- Middaugh Mansion, Clarendon Hills
- Pinckneyville Community High School, Pickneyville
- Joliet Penitentiary, Joliet
- Soldier Field, Chicago
- C.B.&Q Depot, Aurora
- Cook County Hospital Main Building, Chicago
- Baum & Temple Buildings, Danville
- Goodman Memorial Theater, Chicago
- Main Brothers Box & Lumber Company Office Building, Karnak
- Manske-Niemann Farm, Litchfield (pictured)
- Mound City Marine Ways & U.S. Naval Station/Yard, Mound City
- Uptown Theatre, Chicago
- Warm Air Research Residence, Urbana
- Burton, Peck & Couch Buildings, Chicago
- The Vanishing Urban Corner (Special Thematic Designation)
- Central School, Lincoln
- Congregational Church, Pittsfield
- Culver House, Decatur
- The DuPage Theatre and The DuPage Shoppes, Lombard
- Platt Luggage Building, Chicago (pictured)
- Sarah Atwater Denman Row Houses, Quincy
- Spring Valley City Hall, Spring Valley
- Unity Temple, Oak Park
- Upper Kaskaskia Trace Corridor, Waterloo
- Waltmire Bridge, Tremon
- Harwood-Solon House, Champaign (pictured)
- Joseph Cluster Round Barn, Morris
- N.O. Nelson Factory/Leclaire Village, Edwardsville
- Pepsin Syrup Company Factory, Monticello
- Pullman Palace Car Factory & Village, Chicago
- St. Boniface Church & School, Chicago
- Sugar Load Mound Complex, Collinsville
- Teeple Barn, Elgin
- Tree Studios/Medinah Temple Block, Chicago
- Richards' Farm, Galena
- Paul Schweikher Home & Studio, Schaumburg
- Village of Hinsdale
- Henke-Buck Farmstead, Waterloo
- Cairo Ohio River Commercial District
- Berwyn National Bank, Berwyn (pictured)
- McPike Mansion, Alton
- The Telegraph Properties, Alton
- Springdale Cementary & Mausoleum, Peoria
- Wagner Farm, Glenview
- East St. Louis Mound Group, East St. Louis
- Alter-Jaques House, Urbana
- Cahokia Archaeological Site, Madison & St. Clair Counties
- Ferguson Mansion, Springfield
- Glasner Residence, Glencoe
- Hettler House, Chicago
- Loop Elevated Train Stations, Chicago (pictured)
- Marseilles Hydro Plant, Marseilles
- National Guard Armory, Rock Island
- Old Post Office, Chicago
- Washington School, River Forest
-. Nachusa House Hotel, Dixon (pictured)
- Medinah Temple, Chicago
- The Grand Village of the Illinois, Connerton Parcel, Lasalle County
- The Chatterton's Block, Springfield
- Pending Chicago Landmarks, Chicago
- Downtown Oak Park, Oak Park
- Chicago Transit Authority Green Line L Stations: Garfield Blvd., Homan Ave. & Racine Ave, Chicago
- Elgin Milk Condensing Co./Borden Building, Elgin
- Uptown Theatre, Chicago
- Walden/Bluff's Edge Bridge, Lake Forest
- Albany Mounds, Whiteside Co.
- Dekalb Post Office, Dekalb
- 8th Regiment Armory, Chicago
- Enoch Building, Carrolton (pictured)
- Ft. Sheridan, Lake Forest
- Grand Village of the Kickapoo, LeRoy
- Michigan Avenue, Chicago
- Musician's Hall, Peoria
- North Shore Station, Skokie
- Pullman Market Hall & Market Hall Square, Chicago
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