The Elgin Heritage Commission is seeking nominations for the 2019 Elgin Mayor’s Awards for Historic Preservation.

Applications are available on the city’s website, at cityofelgin.org/mayorawards, and in person at the Community Development Department in City Hall, located at 150 Dexter Court, Elgin, IL 60120.

Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25.

The annual Mayor’s Awards, held each May during National Preservation Month, honor the outstanding contributions of Elgin citizens in their efforts to preserve the city’s heritage. In addition, the event provides an opportunity to educate the community about the value Elgin’s unique architecture, neighborhoods and history.

The awards further the Elgin Heritage Commission’s goals of neighborhood and downtown revitalization to benefit the entire city.

The Mayor’s Awards are given to persons, groups and organizations who lead a preservation project, save one or more historical properties, educate and promote an awareness of Elgin’s heritage, conduct creative historic projects relating to archival or object collections, or maintain a continuous cultural or historical organization for 50 years or more.

Four special awards will also be presented:

• The Mayor George Van De Voorde Award is given to an individual recognizing the continuing vigor, imagination and persistence in preserving Elgin’s heritage.
• The William Stickling Award honors achievements in the adaptive reuse of industrial and commercial buildings.
• The Artisan Award recognizes the exemplary work of a contractor, craftsperson or artisan in the preservation and restoration of Elgin’s architectural heritage.
• The Henry Jensen Award recognizes extraordinary exterior and/or interior rehabilitation of work completed within the past year.

The 2019 Mayor’s Awards event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7 at a location to be determined, with a reception at 6 p.m. followed by a ceremony recognizing Elgin’s awardees at 7 p.m.

For more information or to obtain a nomination form, please contact Christen Sundquist at 847-931-6004 or sundquist_c@cityofelgin.org.

About The Elgin Heritage Commission

The Elgin Heritage Commission is a citizen’s advisory commission that promotes Elgin’s historic preservation activity through the protection, maintenance and preservation of the city’s architectural, historic and cultural resources.

The Elgin Heritage Commission is composed of nine voting members appointed by the mayor with the consent of the Elgin city council.

About Elgin

Nestled along the banks of the Fox River, Elgin is about 38 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and is home to more than 112,000 people. The growing city enjoys ready access to public transportation, diverse housing stock and a mix of commercial establishments.

Many national and international businesses have taken advantage of Elgin’s close proximity to the Elgin-O’Hare Tollway and to the “Golden Corridor of Technology and Commerce” along Interstate-90.

A recent recipient of the Governor’s Hometown Award, Elgin features a nationally acclaimed library system, an array of healthcare options, and educational opportunities for all ages.

Residents and visitors enjoy a thriving cultural arts community, world-class parks, historical museums and over 200 places of worship. This vibrant, diverse community is a registered Cities of Service to recognize its volunteer-rich community and history of civic engagement.

SOURCE: city of Elgin news release