TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Dustin Anderson, Director of Community Development
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Accepting and Placing on File the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report for 2024
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BACKGROUND:
As part of the City of Joliet’s responsibilities as a Certified Local Government (CLG), an annual report of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission’s (JHPC) functions and activities has been prepared. The City of Joliet received Certified Local Government (CLG) status in 1995. The CLG Program was established by the National Historic Preservation Act Amendment of 1980 to integrate local preservation programs into the existing federal/state preservation partnership. CLG’s are required to prepare and file their annual report with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). City Ordinance also requires the City Council to accept and place on file said report.
The Historic Preservation Commission and City staff were actively involved in important preservation initiatives in 2024, many of which were recently completed. These new resources are now available on the “Historic Preservation” webpage on the City’s website, joliet.gov/historicpreservation. Some 2024 highlights include:
• Review of Certificates of Appropriateness for:
o New detached garage at 612 Western Avenue (approved)
o Alternative materials for façade restoration work and replacement windows 9 W. Cass (approved)
o Replacement of front doors 19 W. Cass (approved)
o Vinyl replacement windows at 420 Whitney Avenue (not approved);
o In addition, staff conducted 22 administrative reviews, including 575 E. Jackson Street (Casseday House) and 900 N. Raynor Avenue.
• Review of Demolition Permit for 927 Collins Street (U.S. Steel Administration Building)
• Review of one local historic property designation nomination:
o 416 N. Chicago Street (St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church) as a Local Historic Landmark
• Management and completion of the:
o Interpretative signs and interactive installations at the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway (October 23rd dedication event)
o Joliet Railroad Museum (opened to the public on May 10, 2024).
• Management of the:
o Joliet Area African American Historic Context Study (in-process)
• Application for FY2024 Certified Local Government Grant Program funding for Joliet Area African American Oral History Project (Notice of funding award March 2025).
• Implementation of the “Places Matter” media campaign for Historic Preservation Month in May during which places that matter to our City were recognized.
• Sponsorship of the 2024 Historic Preservation Award program for which one individual and one project received awards.
The attached annual report is in the format required by the State of Illinois Historic Preservation Office.
The Joliet Historic Preservation Commission reviewed and approved the 2024 Annual Report on at their April 23, 2025 meeting by a 7-0 vote.
CONCLUSION
Acceptance of the 2024 Annual Report of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission meets the City of Joliet’s responsibilities as a Certified Local Government as well as City of Joliet Ordinance requirements.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve a Resolution accepting and placing on file the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission’s Annual Report for 2024.
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