Since 1995, Landmarks Illinois has asked people throughout the state to nominate threatened or endangered places for its annual list of Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois. These places can be historically and architecturally significant and/or special to the community and its residents’ way of life, cultural heritage and unique traditions.
Inclusion on Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois list has proven beneficial for many of Illinois’ historic places. For some properties, nomination to the list is a last chance for survival.
The 2025 list will be announced May 1, 2025 at a virtual press conference.
If you know of a historic resource that fits these descriptions, do something! Nominate the property for inclusion on Landmarks Illinois’ Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois list. The Nomination Deadline is January 10, 2025
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before completing an application.
This fund honors and celebrates the life and work of the late acclaimed historian and civil rights activist, Timuel D. Black, Jr.
The Fund will support grantees with planning and capital projects in their effort to preserve and promote the history, culture, and architecture of Chicago’s South Side.
These grants are intended to provide monetary assistance to preserve or protect significant structures or sites. Eligible beneficiaries of Timuel D. Black, Jr. Fund grants are significant structures or sites located on Chicago’s South Side that are of such architectural or cultural importance that their preservation will benefit the public and community.
The Timuel D. Black, Jr. Fund Grant Guidelines can be found at Landmarks.org. A project must be for the purpose of preserving through rehabilitation, restoration or adaptive reuse, all or part of an Eligible Structure or Site. A project may include one or more of the following services provided each service can satisfy the project conditions described in the Grant Guidelines:
- Engineering, architectural, and feasibility studies
- Stabilization
- Rehabilitation
- Legal services
- Surveys and National Register Nominations
Eligibility
Grants are awarded from the Fund to planning, capital, and other projects related to the Fund’s purpose. Eligible applicants include commercial property owners, business owners, nonprofit and community organizations, faith-based and educational institutions. A 3:1 match of awarded grant funds is required. Grants range from $500 - $10,000.
Grant Boundaries
The South Side is approximately defined as the following boundaries:
· South of Cermak Road;
· West of Lake Michigan;
· East of S. Ashland Avenue;
· North of the southern boundary of the city of Chicago.
Application deadlines: January 1 and July 1
Contact
Suzanne Germann, Director of Reinvestment
(312) 922-1742
These grants are intended to provide monetary assistance to preserve or protect significant resources in the state of Illinois. Eligible beneficiaries of Preservation Heritage Fund Grants are significant resources in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility.
The Preservation Heritage Fund Grant Guidelines can be found at Landmarks.org.
A project must be for the purpose of preserving through rehabilitation, restoration or adaptive reuse, all or part of an Eligible Resource.
A project may include one or more of the following services provided each service can satisfy the project conditions described in the Grant Guidelines:
- Engineering, architectural, and feasibility studies
- Stabilization
- Rehabilitation
- Legal services
- Surveys and National Register Nominations
- Preservation ordinance support
Application deadlines: April 1 and October 1.
Contact
Suzanne Germann, Director of Reinvestment
(312) 922-1742
sgermann@landmarks.org
The Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund for Illinois provides monetary assistance to preserve or protect significant resources in Illinois. Eligible beneficiaries include significant resources in Illinois that are under threat of demolition, in imminent deterioration, in need of stabilization, in need of structural or re-use evaluation, or need to be evaluated for landmark eligibility. Landmarks Illinois manages the fund, which was established in 2013.
The Donnelley Preservation Fund Grant Guidelines can be found at Landmarks.org.
Donnelley Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation.
Planning: Support for obtaining professional expert Planning ise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:
- Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan
- Hiring a preservation planner to produce design guidelines for a historic district
- Hiring a real estate development consultant to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened resource
- Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood
Education and Outreach: Support for preservation ed Education and Outreach ucation activities aimed at the public with particular interest in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement
A project may include one or more of the following services provided each service can satisfy the project conditions described in the grant guidelines:
- Engineering, architectural, and feasibility studies
- Legal services
- Surveys and National Register Nominations
- Preservation ordinance support
Application deadlines: April 1 and October 1
Contact
Suzanne Germann, Director of Reinvestment
(312) 922-1742
sgermann@landmarks.org
Owners of properties protected by a preservation easement are required to obtain the approval of Landmarks Illinois before making alterations to the protected elements of the property. Please contact Landmarks Illinois prior to commencement of any work to ensure that proposed maintenance and alterations are in accordance with the easement agreement. If necessary, you will need to complete the followng Request for Alterations Form.
Landmarks Illinois’ Easement Committee, a group comprised of historic preservation professionals, reviews proposed alterations to easement properties at their monthly meeting, which typically takes place the first Thursday of the month. The Request for Alterations Form and any additional materials need to be received by Landmarks Illinois at least one and a half weeks prior to the meeting (Monday of the prior week).
Landmarks Illinois uses the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation when reviewing proposed alterations to easement properties. It is recommended that the applicant review the Standards prior to submitting this form.
We encourage you to refer to Landmarks Illinois’ Illinois Restoration Resource Directory when looking to make repairs and alterations.
Contact: Amber Delgado, Easements and Advocacy Associate · 312-922-1742 · adelgado@landmarks.org