Historic Preservation
Neal & Leroy’s historic preservation attorneys advise municipalities, institutions, and property owners on landmark designation historic resource protection, tax incentives, and preservation disputes across Illinois. We represent and advise clients on both sides of these questions, helping to protect historic properties and, when needed, securing relief from the restrictions that come with landmark status.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Historic building ownership carries legal obligations that an ordinary property doesn’t. Neal & Leroy has represented owners seeking relief from landmark restrictions, advised municipalities including Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park on designating landmarks and landmark districts, and litigated preservation and tax issues at trial and upon appeal.
Two of our attorneys, Langdon D. Neal and Jeanette Sublett, have been named Living Landmarks by the Landmarks Illinois for their extensive and successful work on historic preservation matters. Richard F. Friedman, who leads this practice, was recently selected to serve on the advisory board of the National Preservation Lawyers Network of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Mr. Friedman formerly served as legal counsel to the Chicago Landmark Commission.
Preservation matters can arise from either perspective. We advise clients seeking to protect properties through local landmark designation, or National Register listing. We advise clients on historic property tax benefits, as well as those seeking relief from existing restrictions or approval for demolition or construction. Our experience on both sides of these matters provides a comprehensive understanding of the legal and regulatory considerations involved.
One of our better-known matters involved physically relocating the historic Harriet F. Rees House to a new site one block north to make way for expanded facilities near McCormick Place. Our attorneys secured the local, state, and federal approvals the move required and coordinated the team that carried it out over two days.
Our work has also touched some of Chicago’s most visible preservation matters:
- The Obama Presidential Center’s development within Jackson Park, a nationally designated historic landmark
- The restoration of the Museum of Science and Industry’s South Portico, which dates to the 1893 Columbian Exposition.
Historic preservation involves a relatively limited number of properties, but the stakes are often significant and the legal issues complex. That’s why clients frequently rely on us for ongoing counsel rather than treating preservation matters as one-time engagements.
OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION PRACTICE
- Landmark and Historic District Designation
- Litigation to protect historic properties
- National Register of Historic Places proceedings
- Preservation tax Incentives, including TIF Grants, Federal and Illinois Historic Tax Credits, and property tax assessment freezes (state and Cook County Class L)
- Preservation easements and covenant enforcement
- Demolition and alteration permit disputes
- Historic Property litigation and appeals
