The monthly Landmarks Illinois News Roundup keeps you in the loop on the latest preservation news stories from the month as well as Landmarks Illinois’ main advocacy efforts, projects and announcements. You can also receive these monthly news roundups directly in your inbox by signing up for our newsletters at the bottom of the page.
August 2026 Preservation News Roundup
Welcome message from Frank Butterfield, Interim President & CEO
I am honored to serve as Interim President & CEO. Thank you to the Board of Directors, our staff and all our partners and members for your support during this leadership transition.
In my 13 years at Landmarks Illinois, I have been fortunate to work in communities across the state, partnering with passionate organizations and individuals committed to preserving the places that matter most to them. From this on-the-ground work, I have heard a strong desire to create a more relevant, inclusive and effective preservation movement. People across Illinois value Landmarks Illinois’ role in building that future together.
During this transition, I am committed to continuing that forward momentum, ensuring organizational continuity and supporting our staff.
I love hearing people’s stories about the places that are special to them. I look forward to hearing from you in the months ahead. Share with us events in your communities and opportunities to connect and collaborate. I am excited to continue to work alongside you to shape the future of preservation in Illinois
Landmarks Illinois proudly welcomes Latinos in Heritage Conservation to Chicago for Congreso!
Landmarks Illinois proudly served as the local partner for Latinos in Heritage Conservation’s (LHC) sixth biennial national summit, Congreso. The Congreso Leadership Summit is a national gathering bringing Latinx leaders, preservation practitioners, artists, scholars and community organizers together. This year, Congreso was held at the historic Palmer House, with the theme Estamos Aquí (We Are Here). The summit convened national and Chicago-based voices to examine how Latinx communities shape, protect and sustain cultural landscapes across the United States.
The event, August 19-22, included several days of workshops, panel discussions and presentations. Amber Delgado, Landmarks Illinois Technical Assistance and Programs Manager, participated in a panel discussion, “Aquí en el Midwest: Latinx Heritage in the Heartland.” Delgado was also instrumental in coordinating with LHC on Congreso on behalf of LI.
Congreso wrapped up with a walking tour in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. The tour began at the Little Village Arch, where Meg Kindelin, President of JLK Architects, discussed the restoration of the iconic landmark her team led. LHC staff then led guests along West 26th St. to visit local businesses (pictured above).
In his opening remarks at Congreso, Landmarks Illinois interim President & CEO Frank Butterfield recognized LHC Executive Director Sehila Mota Casper and the entire LHC staff for being incredible partners who approach their work with passion and positivity, spark joy and foster genuine collaboration. Butterfield also thanked LHC Founding Board Member, President of Arda Design and longtime LI supporter Eddie Torrez for initially fostering our relationship with LHC years ago.
Click below to learn more about Latinos in Heritage Conservation!
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LI joins Illinois Main Street to tour Soul City Corridor in Austin
Quinn Adamowski, Director of Public Affairs, attended the Illinois Main Street Mixer on August 6 in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood alongside Joi Cuatero Austin, Interim Illinois Main Street Director. Hosted by the Austin African American Business Networking Association for Illinois Main Street, the in-person gathering gave participants a chance to network and tour and learn more about the Soul City Corridor—a state cultural district that runs on Chicago Avenue from Cicero Avenue to Austin Boulevard.
Touring the historically significant Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon
Quinn Adamowski, Director of Public Affairs, toured the shuttered Lorado Taft Campus in Oregon on Aug. 19. Established in 1898 as the Eagle’s Nest Art Colony by renowned sculptor Lorado Taft, the historic 141-acre site served generations of students as an outdoor education retreat before Northern Illinois University closed the campus in late 2024 due to budget constraints.
After the tour, Adamowski met with City of Oregon Mayor Ken Williams and City Manager Darin DeHaan to discuss strategies for a collaborative, multi-organization path forward. Unlike many preservation emergencies, the buildings on the campus have been well maintained and are stable, allowing a focus on long-term reuse rather than stabilization. Adamowski recommended a visioning process with municipal, regional and state partners to create a viable roadmap for sustainable stewardship and community reuse.
Upcoming Grant Application Deadline: October 1
RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR YOUR PRESERVATION PROJECT!
Landmarks Illinois is accepting applications for the next round of funding through the Preservation Heritage Fund and the Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois.
These grant programs provide financial assistance to preserve or protect significant structures and sites in Illinois. Visit our website to learn more about qualifying projects for each grant fund and to submit an application.
(Grant recipient, On Point Revival, in front of Saenger Hall in Warsaw.)
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Historic Gillson Park has a new National Register plaque
A bronze plaque has been installed at Gillson Park in Wilmette to recognize it as part of the National Register of Historic Places. The 60-acre, Prairie-style public park is located along Lake Michigan and features natural landscapes and open spaces. In 2022, Landmarks Illinois included the park on its Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois due to proposed changes by the Wilmette Park District. These changes threatened to alter the park’s more than century-old, passive design by removing greenery to accommodate additional roads and parking.
Gillson Park was listed in the National Register in 2024. Landmarks Illinois sponsored the nomination for Gillson Park’s National Register listing, prepared by landscape historian Julia S. Bachrach and Malcolm Cairns, FASLA. Additionally, we hosted a Preservation Snapshots Lecture on this historic park in November 2023.
The new plaque marks the final step in the park’s historic designation journey. Read more below.
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Upcoming Event: LAKE FOREST PRESERVATION SYMPOSIUM
OCTOBER 16-18
The Lake Forest Preservation Foundation and Ragdale present the Lake Forest Preservation Symposium: A National Conversation on Preservation, Architecture & Place, October 16-18, 2026, in Lake Forest, Illinois. The three-day symposium will feature national and regional leaders in architecture, preservation, urbanism, design, history and civic life, with panels, tours, receptions, workshops and community heritage programming. Landmarks Illinois Interim President & CEO Frank Butterfield will be included in one of the symposium’s panels, “Why Preservation Matters: How is Lake Forest Different?” moderated by former Chicago Tribune Architecture Critic Blair Kamin. Learn more and register below.
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Top social media posts of the month
On Instagram, we shared the news that the Black Panther Party Heritage Trail in Illinois was now available to explore at ilbpp.org. It became our most popular Instagram post this month. Check out our other top posts:
Additional Landmarks Illinois news
- Landmarks Illinois Director of Public Affairs Quinn Adamowski gave a presentation at the Midwest Community Development Institute, which was hosted by the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs in Springfield from August 10-13. Adamowski’s presentation was titled “Rehabilitation of Historic Buildings: Developing an Ecosystem.” The conference provides participants with a core body of knowledge and skills in community development and economic development.
- Adamowski also attended the East St. Louis Historical Society’s annual Parade of Stars on August 15 at the Southern Illinois University East St. Louis Campus. During his remarks, Adamowski highlighted LI’s partnership with East St. Louis, specifically detailing support for the 1886 Lincoln School, a 2024 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois site. Adamowski underscored the importance of East St. Louis and the broader Metro East region, emphasizing how historic preservation drives community revitalization. The afternoon event brought attendees together to celebrate local history and raise funds for the Lincoln School’s ongoing rehabilitation and future educational programming.
Download the full roundup below
August 2026 Preservation News RoundupSupport our advocacy
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