City of Elgin Heritage Commission met March 3
Here are the minutes provided by the commission:
A. The meeting of the Elgin Heritage Commission was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers by Chairman John Marston.
1. Members Present: Vivien Lasken, Tonya Luchetti, John Marston, Allison Peterson, Christina Pila, Marge Rowe, Dennis Roxworthy, Melissa Street, Gina Tunar
2. Members Absent: None
3. City Staff Present: Christen Sundquist, Historic Preservation Planner
B. Approval of Minutes:
1. A motion was made by Commissioner Street to approve February 3, 2026 minutes as submitted.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Rowe.
The motion passed 7-0-2 (Peterson and Pila abstained).
C. Recognize Persons Present
Rebecca Hunter
D. Plaque applications:
None
E. Old Business
1. Reports from Neighborhood Groups on Heritage Related Activities
a. Commissioner Rowe noted the following:
i. Elgin History Museum will be hosting a members only presentation Celebrating Women’s Month on March 8 at 2:00PM.
ii. Elgin History Museum will be hosting an exhibit at the Nancy Kimball Cobblestone House on March 14 from 12:00PM-4:00PM of Hans Klemmer’s Kiln-Formed Glass
iii. The museum is also hosting a lecture, “Abigail Adams: From Colony to Constitution presented by Megan Wells” on March 29 at 2:00PM.
iv. She also noted that the Elgin History Museum’s traveling exhibit “2-3-1” was taken down at the Gail Borden Public Library which was there during Black History Month
b. Chairman Marston noted the following:
i. He stated that he attended historian and reporter George Rawlinson’s celebration of life. He noted it was very well attended and he will be missed by the community.
2. 2026 Elgin Heritage Commission Goals
a. Bungalow Website
Staff noted that she is hopeful to get a STEAM intern for the summer that will assist with the HistoricElgin website. She also noted that the GIS Department is assisting us with fixing the map on HistoricElgin.
3. Design Review Subcommittee
Staff stated that the Design Review Subcommittee reviewed and approved the installation of solar panels at 385 St. Charles Street.
4. 2026 Marketing and Outreach Plan
a. Educational Videos
No update.
b. Gail Borden Library – Proposed Events
Staff and Rebbeca Hunter will meet to go over the needed items for the display as items are due April 1st.
c. Gin City – Kerri Liu Collaboration
Commissioner Luchetti will follow up with Kerri Liu and her progress.
d. Proposed Events
i. Open Elgin
Commissioner Luchetti provided a draft proposal for the commission to review that will be sent to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration. The commission thanked Commissioner Luchetti for putting together a very thoughtful and detailed proposal. They noted that they’d also like to include Abott Middle School as this is proposed to be closed as well and has unique architectural features. The commission provided suggestions on back up buildings as well.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pila to proceed with submitting the proposal to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Luchetti noted that she will update and will send the proposal to the Chamber by the end of the week.
ii. Photography Participation
Commissioner Luchetti noted that this could be tied in with the Open Elgin event and we can gauge interest.
iii. 4th of July – 250th Celebration
Chairman Marston noted that as soon as the email to sign up to be in the parade is announced he will begin the application process. We will be walking with the Elgin History Museum and local neighborhood groups.
iv. Cruising Down Memory Lane – Heritage Commission Car Show
Staff noted she will reach out to the car club to start discussing dates.
v. DNA – Farmer’s Market, Local History Day
A motion was made by Commissioner Lasken to pay $10 to be a Community Sponsor for the DNA – 2026 Farmer’s Market (Local History Day).
A motion was seconded by Commissioner Tunar.
The motion passed unanimously.
vi. Gifford Park Association – Historic House Tour
Chairman Marston noted that the House Tour committee is looking at homes in the Lords Park neighborhood and have an upcoming meeting on March 5th.
vii. Elgin History Museum – Cemetery Walk
No update.
5. 2026 Preservation Month
a. Mayor’s Awards – Day of Logistics
Staff noted that she will have more details at the April meeting. We do have the space from 3:00PM – 10:00PM.
b. Mayor’s Awards Photographer Review
A motion was made by Commissioner Tunar to approve James Harvey for the photography for the 2026 Mayor’s Awards for Preservation.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion passed unanimously.
F. New Business
1. Mayor’s Awards for Preservation 2026
a. Nominations Review – 11 nominations had been submitted to the Commission for consideration of a Mayor’s Award. Each of the nominations were discussed by the Commission based on the criteria for selection with the following individual action of the Commission:
i. Benjamin Glunz
For the adaptive reuse of the historic 1960s PNC Bank into apartments and studio space for Judson University’s graduate architecture students, now known as Glunz Hall at 28 N. Grove Avenue.
A motion was made by Commissioner Roxworthy to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion passed unanimously.
ii. Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
For fundraising to restore and display the church’s beloved stained-glass window that was salvaged from their previous church located on Fulton and Villa Streets and razed in 1957.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peterson.
The motion passed unanimously.
iii. Chuck Keysor
For assisting the owners of 140 N. Porter Street with the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the front porch to match historic photograph.
A motion was made by Commissioner Roxworthy to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion passed 8-0-1 (Marston abstained).
iv. Elgin Public Museum and James Eby
For installing eight custom designed display cases installed in front of the 30-inch-high historic railing at the second floor. This thoughtful design provides more exhibit space, does not alter the site lines of the 1904-1907 architecture and provides a safety barrier without alteration of the original oak woodwork.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luchetti to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion passed 5-3.
v. Elizabeth Marston
Chairman Marston stepped out of the room prior to discussion.
A motion was made by Commissioner Pila to nominate Commissioner Rowe as Chairman Pro Tem for this review.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Peterson
The motion passed unanimously.
For her 28 years of dedication as the Director of the Elgin History Museum and preserving, promoting and enriching residents and visitors of the cultural and architectural history of Elgin. Elizabeth was nominated under The Mayor George Van de Voorde Outstanding Service Award.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luchetti to recommend the nomination for a Mayor George Van de Voorde Outstanding Service Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion passed 7-0.
Following the conclusion of the above review, John Marston resumed the chair.
vi. Jim Turner
For his volunteerism at the Elgin History Museum since 2012 with tours, greeting visitors, answering questions, playing folk music for museum events among countless other museum tasks.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion passed 8-0-1 (Marston abstained).
vii. Legend Partners – Courtyard 40
For the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 40 DuPage Court, historically the 1893 Spurling Block Building, into a five-story mixed used redevelopment.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luchetti to recommend the nomination for The William Stickling Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion passed unanimously.
viii. Mary Alice and Michael Benoit
For the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the 1927 Elk’s Lodge into The Lodge Performing Arts Center located at 18 Villa Court.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luchetti to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion passed unanimously.
ix. Myles M. Godinez
For his creation of an interactive presentation board for his 8th grade project that highlights the Elgin National Watch Company and its impacts on Elgin’s history.
A motion was made by Commissioner Rowe to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion passed unanimously.
x. Otto Engineering
For their adaptive reuse and rehabilitation of Julius Angelo Carpenter’s Star Manufacturing, Illinois Iron and Bolt, and Borden Condensing Plant. Julius Angelo Carpenter married Mary Edwards. Upon his death she remarried Elgin philanthropist, George P. Lord. Otto Engineering continues the Carpenter/Lord tradition of social and community responsibility.
A motion was made by Commissioner Street to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Roxworthy.
The motion failed 0-9.
It was noted by the commission that as the restoration, adaptive reuse and rehabilitation projects were not in Elgin, despite the ties to Elgin, that it did not qualify for an Elgin Mayor’s Award. However, they recommended that the nominator submit this as a possible Landmarks Illinois award as they cover the entire state with preservation minded projects.
xi. Sugar and Rhyme Coffeehouse and the Henderson Family
For their adaptive reuse of 201-203 E. Chicago Street, designed by David E. Postle in 1903, to an environmentally responsible business and restoration including painting, tuckpointing, replacement of the slate roof at the turret and repairs to the back alley improving the overall visual impact of a prominent corner property.
A motion was made by Commissioner Luchetti to recommend the nomination for a Mayor’s Award.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Pila.
The motion failed 0-9.
The commission noted that this business has had a positive impact to Elgin’s downtown and noted that the owner has done a nice job with the building’s upkeep but appeared the work done to the building was more maintenance than adaptive reuse or restoration. They noted that this nomination would be better suited as an Image Award.
2. Proposed Grant Review, April 7th, directly after Heritage Commission meeting Staff noted that an agenda including the vote sheet will be sent to the commissioners prior to that meeting for review.
G. Other Business
Commissioner Tunar noted that the Heritage Commission should look at creating a midcentury homes tour. Commission Lasken stated that she was on a similar one but it was a driving tour with audio within a half-mile radius and it was enjoyable to do. Commissioner Tunar will put together research and a proposal for the commission to review.
H. Adjournment
A motion was made by Commissioner Pila to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Street and passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
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