Announcing the 2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

People Saving Places for People

2022 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois

Landmarks Illinois has announced this year's list of the top threatened historic and culturally significant places. Visit our website to see detailed information on each 2022 Most Endangered site and learn how you can help advocate for their preservation.

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CENTURY & CONSUMERS BUILDINGS

Chicago

Cook County

Two highly visible, early 20th-century commercial buildings at 202 and 220 S. State St., which sit within the National Register-listed Loop Retail Historic District, face demolition by the federal government. Previous redevelopment plans were halted due to security concerns by the adjacent federal courts, but demolition will leave a noticeable hole in the downtown State Street corridor.

EUGENE S. PIKE HOUSE

Chicago

Cook County

The picturesque, late 19th-century home once used as a “Watchman’s Residence” for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County sits at the southern edge of Dan Ryan Woods and is part of the National Register-listed Ridge Historic District. The house is vacant and deteriorating and requires an outside user and investor.

WILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Joliet

Will County

Built in 1969 and designed by Otto Stark of C.F. Murphy Associates in partnership with Krugel, Healy & Moore Architects, the Brutalist building is at risk of demolition due to Will County’s current lack of interest to explore reuse opportunities for the architecturally significant, but vacant structure.

ELKS LODGE #64

Rockford

Winnebago County

The architecturally significant but long-vacant former community meeting space built in 1912 faces demolition by neglect. The building, which serves as an important gateway to the West Downtown Rockford Historic District where revitalization and reinvestment is booming, requires emergency repairs as well as a rehabilitation and reuse plan.

GILLSON PARK

Wilmette

Cook County

A 60-acre, Prairie-style public park sitting along Lake Michigan that features naturalist landscapes and open space beloved by locals. However, the Wilmette Park District is considering changes to the 107-year-old park that would alter its passive design and remove greenery to add more roads and parking.