Lake County Gazette

The City of Highland Park City Council celebrated the 40th anniversary of its historic property preservation efforts, adopting a proclamation to mark the anniversary during its meeting on April 24.

Highland Park was the first Illinois community to submit its properties to the national registrar back in 1982, Mayor Nancy Rotering said, and the city led the way in preserving historic properties and promoting the integration of history into modern living since then. Council member Anthony Blumberg read a proclamation celebrating the start of the city's preservation initiative in 1982.

"Over the past few years, the Historic Preservation Commission has undertaken a tremendous effort to enhancing our long standing work to preserve the rich architectural history of our community, culminating in the adoption of the city's first historic preservation plan on Nov. 28, 2022," he read. "This year, we are delighted to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the city's historic preservation program with this proclamation."

Council adopted the city's first Historic Preservation Ordinance on Aug. 9, 1983. In 1985, Highland Park "was among the first communities in the state to be designated a certified local government with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office. And in 1988, Highland Park conducted its first preservation awards ceremony," the proclamation read. 

In November, the council adopted the first city's first preservation plan, setting forth the city's vision and goals related to preserving the city's architectural and historic resources. The plan includes 76 local landmarks, its three historic districts and its five nationally registered districts, "while encouraging community partnership, local development and distinctive attractive places," the proclamation read.

The city’s historic preservation committee has also created and continued a program of Historic Preservation Awards every year since 1988. The award categories include Restoration, Rehabilitation, New Construction/Addition, Adaptive Reuse, Landscape Restoration. The commission celebrated the winners of this year’s award at its annual Preservation Awards Ceremony on May 4 at the Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Willits House. 

Community Development director Joel Fontane said the city was to hand out awards in three of the categories, and the nominations included a redone historical home, a salvaged historical bridge, and an addition put on to a historic home in the original architectural style.