The Recent Past Survey of Suburban Cook County focused on architecturally significant, non-residential buildings in suburban Chicago communities dating from 1935 to 1975 — a period commonly referred to as the “recent past.” Approximately 4,100 commercial, institutional, office and religious structures were identified in more than 53 communities, primarily in Cook County, Illinois but also touching on adjacent counties. The survey was conducted annually by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s (SAIC) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation from 2006 to 2022. The survey was initiated by Jim Peters, AICP, adjunct professor at SAIC and a former Landmarks Illinois staff member. Subsequent surveys were supervised by architects, planners and other professionals with survey experience.
The Recent Past Survey of Suburban Chicagoland did not include residential structures due to time constraints and the fact that detailed residential surveys are more appropriately carried out by local governments. Inclusion in the survey does not indicate that buildings are listed as or eligible to be local landmarks or in the National Register of Historic Places; however, Landmarks Illinois encourages owners and local historic preservation commissions to evaluate and prioritize places identified in the survey for local landmark and/or National Register nominations.
This survey concluded in 2022. Survey records are no longer being added or updated, but they are still available as a resource for property owners, researchers and the public.
Explore the Recent Past Survey of Suburban Cook County
