Category Archives: Illinois
Chicago Mayoral Preservation Survey
by Michael R. Allen Preservation organizations can be afraid of engaging electoral politics, but avoidance is not the best action. Leadership is needed on preservation policy, and it need not involve endorsement or direct participation in an election cycle. Landmarks … Continue reading
Posted in Best Practices, Chicago, Illinois
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Two Wayfinding Ideas from Illinois
by Michael R. Allen On a recent trip to Chicago, I came across the wonderful “Dearborn Avenue Cultural Walk.” The “walk” is a self-guided architectural and cultural tour with information placed on illustrated signs along Dearborn. Each sign contains information … Continue reading
Posted in Belleville, Illinois, Best Practices, Chicago, Illinois
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Illinois Tries a Pilot Historic Rehab Tax Credit, for One Project
by Michael R. Allen Although last year’s effort to pass an Illinois state historic rehabilitation tax credit did not pass the legislature, a very specific pilot program did pass and receive Governor Pat Quinn’s signature. Senate Bill 2534 created a … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois, Peoria, Public Policy
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Illinois Historic Tax Credit Bill Not Down or Out
by Michael R. Allen Illinois may yet pass a state historic rehabilitation tax credit this year. On March 18, the Illinois Senate passed SB 2559, which is now heading through the House committee process in the final days of this … Continue reading
Posted in Chicago, Illinois, Public Policy
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2010 Illinois Ten Most Endangered Places
Today Landmarks Illinois announced its 2010 Ten Most Endangered Historic Places. More information is online here. The list includes: 1. Bass-Mollett House — Greenville2. Chanute Headquarters and Mess Hall – Rantoul3. Illinois Main Street Program4. Manske-Niemann Farm – Litchfield5. Massac … Continue reading
Illinois Legislators Trying to Create a Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit
by Michael R. Allen On February 11, Illinois State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) introduced SB 2559, a bill that would create a state historic rehabilitation tax credit modeled on Missouri’s. Since then, the bill has gained two co-sponsors, Senators Dale … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois, Public Policy
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Old KFCs Are Buildings Too
by Michael R. Allen My wish for the New Year is simple: Let no vital structure go vacant or get demolished. Shown above is one of the countless road side examples of the infinite adaptability of even the ugliest American … Continue reading
Posted in Adaptive Reuse, Illinois
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Fantasyland
by Michael R. Allen The Fantasyland on Illinois Route 3 in Brooklyn once held two strip club stages, many video viewing rooms and a “health spa.” In a small city whose center seems to have a church on every corner … Continue reading
Posted in Abandonment, Illinois, Metro East
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Madison County Still Could Save Part of Poor Farm Complex
by Michael R. Allen On Monday, wreckers from Premier Demolition of St. Louis began demolishing the two remaining buildings of the Madison County Poor Farm at 333 S. Main Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. The buildings, owned by Madison County, had … Continue reading
Trenton City Hall
by Michael R. Allen A night ride back from the Clinton County Fair in Carlyle, Illinois took us through Trenton, Illinois over the weekend. Trenton is a small town with a small City Hall, but their City Hall is no … Continue reading
Posted in Illinois, Mid-Century Modern, Southern Illinois
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