Cicero, IL Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Cicero's historic-preservation authority sits in Chapter 2, Article II, Division 6 of the Town Code, not in a standalone landmarks ordinance. Sec. 2-836 creates the Cultural Affairs/Historic Sites Commission as an advisory board, its seven members chosen by majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Commissioners who have not served on another compensated Town board in the prior twelve months may choose either compensation set by the annual appropriation ordinance or individual health insurance with premiums set by the Town President and Board of Trustees; commissioners who have already served on a compensated board receive both.

A commissioner who misses more than one scheduled meeting or event between May 1 and April 30, without an excuse the Director of Human Resources deems reasonable (hospitalization, doctor-documented illness, a family death, military leave), can have compensation cut pro rata or be removed and barred from reappointment. On preservation specifically, the Commission's powers under subsection (4) are limited to recommending standards and criteria for designating landmark buildings and structures of historical, architectural or other significant qualities (subsection d), recommending rules, regulations and procedures for that designation (subsection e), and inspecting buildings and structures that may warrant landmark or historical designation (subsection f).

It also advises the corporate authorities on incentives to encourage preservation of historically important buildings and can recommend ordinances to the Board of Trustees, but the Code gives it no authority to designate, restrict demolition of, or regulate alterations to a landmark property. Former Sec. 2-835, which had established an earlier cultural affairs board, was repealed in full by Ord. No. 115-04 in 2004 and replaced by this Division 6 commission.