HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCENTIVES FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
Property Tax Assessment Freeze for Historic Residences
The Property Tax Assessment Freeze for Historic Residences freezes property taxes over a 12-year period after rehabilitation of the property. There is a minimum investment of 25% the property’s market value, as determined by the County Assessor. The building must be owner-occupied (single family home, condominium, cooperative unit, or multi-family building up to 6 units) and a certified historic structure. Learn more here.
20% Federal Historic Tax Credit
A 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit is available for rehabilitating a historic building to an income-producing use. This dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit, equal to 20% of the qualified construction costs and expenses, may be used by the building owner or syndicated to a tax-credit investor. To qualify for the credit, rehabilitation costs must exceed the building’s “adjusted basis” – that is, the purchase price minus the land cost and depreciation. The building must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places before the project is completed. The program is administered by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.
25% State Historic Tax Credit
A 25% State Historic Tax Credit is available for rehabilitating a historic building to an income-producing use. This a competitive, dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit, equal to 25% of the qualified construction costs and expenses, must be coupled with the 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit. Each project that qualifies can apply for 25% of its qualifying rehabilitation expenditures (QREs) up to a total of $3 million in state income tax credits. No project can receive more than $3 million in Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credits. To qualify for the credit, rehabilitation costs must exceed the building’s “adjusted basis” – that is, the purchase price minus the land cost and depreciation. The building must be a certified historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places before the project is completed. In addition, applications that meet one of the following criteria will be prioritized: 1). the qualified historic structure is located in a county that borders a state with a historic property rehabilitation credit; 2). the qualified historic structure was previously owned by a federal, state or local governmental entity; 3). the qualified historic structure is located in a census tract that has a median family income at or below the state median family income; 4). the qualified rehabilitation plan includes in the development partnership a Community Development Entity or a low-profit (B Corporation) or not-for-profit organization; 5). the qualified historic structure is located in an area declared under an Emergency Declaration of Major Disaster Declaration under the federal Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The program is administered by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office.
The Illinois State Historic Preservation Office has released the 2019 schedule for the new Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, which took effect Jan. 1, 2019. Those looking to submit applications during the program’s first round should mark June 5, 2019, on their calendars. That is when SHPO will hold a mandatory meeting in Springfield for all Round 1 applicants. See the full SHPO tax credit program schedule here.
preservation easement donation
A preservation easement is a legal agreement that assigns a qualified nonprofit organization the right to review and approve alterations to a property for the purpose of preserving it in perpetuity. The donation of a preservation easement may be eligible for a one-time charitable federal income tax deduction, which is based on the appraised value of the preservation easement. To be eligible for the deduction, the property must be a certified historic structure either listed in the National Register of Historic Places individually or contributing to a NR district, or be contributing to a local landmark district. Landmarks Illinois accepts easement donations. To learn more, please call 312-922-1742. You can also visit our Preservation Easements webpage.
Permit Fee Waiver program
Through the Permit Fee Waiver program, the City of Chicago waives all building permit fees for individual Chicago landmark buildings or those contributing to a Chicago landmark district. Obtaining fee waivers requires prior application. For more information, click here.
Eugene D. Funk Grant Program
The Eugene D. Funk Grant Program provides the owners of historic properties in Bloomington, IL, with financial assistance in the preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of exterior architectural features. Learn more here.
CITY OF ELGIN – Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant
The Historic Architectural Rehabilitation Grant Program provides residential property owners of structures in designated historic districts with reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 for the restoration of exterior architectural features. Applications are typically announced in January with a due date at the end of March/early April. Learn more here.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCENTIVES FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
River Edge Historic Tax Credit Program
The Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program provides a state income tax credit equal to 25% of a project’s qualified expenditures to owners of certified historic structures located within River Edge Redevelopment Zones (Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Rockford, and soon Peoria) who undertake certified rehabilitation projects during the taxable year. For information on the current program, administered jointly by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office, click here.
20% Federal Historic Tax Credit
A 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit is available for rehabilitating a historic building to an income-producing use. This dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit, equal to 20% of the qualified construction costs and expenses, may be used by the building owner or syndicated to a tax-credit investor. To qualify for the credit, rehabilitation costs must exceed the building’s “adjusted basis” – that is, the purchase price minus the land cost and depreciation. The building must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places before the project is completed. The program is administered by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office and National Park Service.
25% State Historic Tax Credit
A 25% State Historic Tax Credit is available for rehabilitating a historic building to an income-producing use. This a competitive, dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit, equal to 25% of the qualified construction costs and expenses, must be coupled with the 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit. Each project that qualifies can apply for 25% of its qualifying rehabilitation expenditures (QREs) up to a total of $3 million in state income tax credits. No project can receive more than $3 million in Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credits. To qualify for the credit, rehabilitation costs must exceed the building’s “adjusted basis” – that is, the purchase price minus the land cost and depreciation. The building must be a certified historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places before the project is completed. In addition, applications that meet one of the following criteria will be prioritized: 1). the qualified historic structure is located in a county that borders a state with a historic property rehabilitation credit; 2). the qualified historic structure was previously owned by a federal, state or local governmental entity; 3). the qualified historic structure is located in a census tract that has a median family income at or below the state median family income; 4). the qualified rehabilitation plan includes in the development partnership a Community Development Entity or a low-profit (B Corporation) or not-for-profit organization; 5). the qualified historic structure is located in an area declared under an Emergency Declaration of Major Disaster Declaration under the federal Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The program is administered by the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. Learn more here.
preservation easement donation
A preservation easement donation is a one-time charitable federal income tax deduction equal to the appraised value of the preservation easement. A preservation easement is a legal agreement that assigns a qualified non-profit organization the right to review and approve alterations to a property for the purpose of preserving it in perpetuity. Property must be a certified historic structure on the National Register of Historic Places, individually listed, contributing to a district, or contributing to a local landmark district. Landmarks Illinois accepts easement donations. To learn more, please call 312-922-1742.
conservation easement
A conservation easement leaves farms and open land in private ownership and can result in an income tax reduction. It may also reduce property and estate taxes. For more information contact that Land Trust Alliance at 202-638-4725 or visit its website. For DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties, contact the Conservation Foundation at 630-428-4500.
Cook County Class-L Property Tax Incentive
The Cook County Class-L Property Tax Incentive is a 10-year property tax reduction for rehabilitating a commercial or industrial landmark building. The minimum investment is 50% of the building’s assessed value (the total assessed value minus the land value) as determined by the County Assessor. For more information, view the Class L Eligibility Bulletin or call the Cook County Assessor’s Office, Office of Special Assessment Programs at 312-603-5331 or the Landmarks Division of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development at 312-744-3200.
Permit Fee Waiver program
Through the Permit Fee Waiver program, the City of Chicago waives all building permit fees for individual Chicago landmark buildings or those contributing to a Chicago landmark district. Obtaining fee waivers requires prior application. For more information, call the Landmarks Division of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development at 312-744-3200.
Eugene D. Funk Grant Program
The Eugene D. Funk Grant Program provides the owners of historic properties in Bloomington, IL, with financial assistance in the preservation, restoration or rehabilitation of exterior architectural features. Learn more here.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS FOR NONPROFITS, MUNICIPALITIES & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Save America’s Treasures Grants
The Federal Save America’s Treasures grants program began in 1999 and helps preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections that convey our nation’s rich heritage to future generations of Americans. The National Park Service (NPS) announces availability of $13 million in Historic Preservation Fund grants for the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) program. SAT grants provide preservation and/or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-Federal match, which can be cash or documented in-kind. Grants will be administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Learn more here.
National Fund For Sacred Places
The National Fund for Sacred Places is a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Fund is guided by an Advisory Committee, bringing together faith leaders, architects and philanthropists from across the country to inform the grant-making process. The Fund provides 1) grants for the planning and execution of urgent capital projects at historic sacred places that are valued for their cultural importance as well as their role in providing human services, strengthening communities, and revitalizing neighborhoods; and 2) training, capacity-building and technical assistance to ensure that grant-funded projects are successfully planned and implemented. Learn more here.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation offers various grant programs from small seed funding to large capital grants. More information on their various grant programs available at https://savingplaces.org/grants.
ILLINOIS STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATCHING GRANTS
The Illinois State Historic Preservation Office’s Certified Local Government (CLG) Matching Grants provide funding for historic resource inventory surveys, projects that involve planning, National Register listing, public outreach and education. Learn more here.
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program
Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) provides funding for community based projects that expand travel choices and enhance the transportation experience by improving the cultural, historic, aesthetic, and environmental aspects of the transportation infrastructure. Learn more here.
AMTRAK® Great American Stations
AMTRAK® Great American Stations is a program to help communities discover the economic power of America’s train stations. This website has a listing of federal and non-federal grant programs. It is a guide for communities that are looking for funding sources for rail station development. Learn more here.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Museum Capital Grants
The Public Museum Capital Grants Program is designed to help public museums in Illinois expand and upgrade facilities and create new exhibits and other physical facilities to enhance public museums’ abilities to meet their mission. Learn more here.
Mildred Colodny Scholarship
The Mildred Colodny Diversity Scholarship program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides financial assistance and experiential learning opportunities to individuals preparing for careers in historic preservation. The purpose of the Colodny Scholarship is to increase the diversity of people pursuing degrees and careers in historic preservation in the United States. Learn more here.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCENTIVES FOR INDIVIDUALS
Diversity Scholarship Program aims to increase the diversity of participants at the annual National Preservation Conference and in the preservation movement. The program provides financial assistance to approximately 60 community leaders from diverse social, economic, racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds to attend the National Preservation Conference. Learn more.
