Historic Preservation in Illinois (2026)
19 rules on the books across Illinois, 19 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Historic-Cultural Monuments
How buildings, sites, and trees are nominated and designated as Historic-Cultural Monuments, the protections that follow, and the demolition-stay process.
Chicago
Significant RestrictionsChicago's Landmarks Commission may recommend any building, structure, work of art, district, or other object as a…
Read full rule →Elgin
Significant RestrictionsElgin's heritage commission designates individual landmarks, thematic historic district properties, and historic…
Read full rule →Joliet
Significant RestrictionsJoliet's historic preservation commission and city council weigh seven criteria, from historical significance to a…
Read full rule →Kane County
Significant RestrictionsKane County designates historic landmarks, preservation districts and road corridors by county board ordinance after…
Read full rule →Kendall County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Kendall County, any person can nominate a building, site, or district as a historic landmark by…
Read full rule →Mchenry County
Significant RestrictionsUnincorporated McHenry County landmarks and historic districts are nominated under County Code § 15.40.080. Any person…
Read full rule →Naperville
Significant RestrictionsNaperville designates historic landmarks under Municipal Code § 6-11-3, requiring the Historic Preservation Commission…
Read full rule →Oak Lawn
Significant RestrictionsOak Lawn's Architectural Review and Preservation Commission designates buildings, districts and landmarks as official…
Read full rule →Oak Park
Significant RestrictionsThe Village of Oak Park designates historic landmarks under Village Code section 7-9-7, following a Historic…
Read full rule →Peoria
Significant RestrictionsPeoria's Historic Preservation Commission can designate any property that reflects the community's historical…
Read full rule →Schaumburg
Significant RestrictionsVillage Code § 154.71 lets Schaumburg designate any building or site a historic landmark on a Plan Commission…
Read full rule →Springfield
Significant RestrictionsSpringfield's historic sites commission designates local landmarks under City Code Sec. 101.10 using four criteria…
Read full rule →Tinley Park
Significant RestrictionsTinley Park's Historic Preservation Commission designates local landmarks and historic districts using a twelve-factor…
Read full rule →Will County
Significant RestrictionsWill County designates landmarks and historic districts by County Board ordinance after Preservation Commission review…
Read full rule →Cook County
Some RestrictionsCook County's Class L tax incentive rewards owners of landmark or contributing buildings with a reduced property…
Read full rule →Kankakee County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Kankakee County, a building, site, or object gains protection only after the County Board designates…
Read full rule →Sangamon County
Some RestrictionsSangamon County's Historic Preservation Commission can designate landmarks and preservation districts for cultural…
Read full rule →Cicero
Few RestrictionsThe Town of Cicero has no landmark designation ordinance. Sec. 2-836 creates a seven-member Cultural Affairs/Historic…
Read full rule →Waukegan
Few RestrictionsWaukegan's Historic Preservation Commission can formally recognize buildings, structures, or areas as 'Historically…
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