Certified Local Governments

Local governments are powerful players in historic preservation, and the Certified Local Government program supports their work by providing technical assistance, awarding grants, and coordinating a network of participating communities.

The Certified Local Government Program, which was established by the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980, gives municipalities and counties the opportunity to participate as partners in state and federal preservation activities. Municipalities and counties that have local historic preservation programs may participate after they have been "certified." To become certified, a local government must have a historic preservation ordinance, establish a preservation review commission, have an active local survey program to identify historic resources, and provide for public participation. There are fifty-three Certified Local Governments in Illinois (as of 4/2003). Click here to view Certified Local Governments in Illinois. (This file is in portable document format: pdf. You need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it. If you do not have this free reader, you may obtain it from www.Adobe.com.)

Certified Local Governments play an active role in the National Register of Historic Places review process. All nominations for places within the jurisdiction of a Certified Local Government are first submitted to the local review commission and the chief elected official (the mayor or county board chairman, for example) for their review and comment. If both the commission and the chief elected official object to the nomination, it cannot move forward in the review process without an appeal to the Preservation Services Division.

Certified Local Governments are also eligible for matching grant funds to assist in the implementation of their local preservation programs. At least 10 percent of the federal Historic Preservation Fund is set aside specifically for Certified Local Governments. The funds can be used for a variety of projects, including surveys, preservation plans, staff support, and public education.

For additional information, contact us.