Landmarks Illinois Releases 2011 Endangered List
By Prescott Carlson in News on Apr 6, 2011 8:30PM
Landmarks Illinois, the state's "leading voice for historic preservation" for the past 40 years, has released its annual list of the top 10 most endangered historic places in Illinois. According to the group, this year's list includes sites that are threatened not just by deterioration, but by government entities and the "continuing foreclosure crisis."
Two Chicago sites made the list this year -- the New Regal Theater on East 79th Street was newly added, as its exterior walls are in major disrepair, and a scheduled foreclosure sale this summer does not bode well for its future as the new owner would have to incur quite an expense to get the building back up to code.
The cloverleaf shaped Prentice Women's Hospital remains on the list for the third year in a row. The site has been mostly vacant for almost four years, and it's expected Northwestern University, which takes back ownership of the building later this year, will tear down the building to erect a modern medical research facility.
The home and studio of sculptor Alfonso Iannelli in nearby Park Ridge also made the list, as developers are licking their chops to tear down the structures to make way for new townhomes. The current owners are showing little interest in letting the site receive landmark status from the Park Ridge Historic Preservation Commission.
Other sites on this year's list include:
- Belleville Turner Hall
Belleville - Bolivia Road Bridge
North Fork, Sangamon River - Sheriff's Residence and Jail
Paxton - Soper-Burr House
Bloomington - Streator Catholic Churches
Streator - West End Settlement House
Rock Island - Will Rogers Theatre
Charleston