ROCKFORD, IL — Ald. Mark Bonne plans to introduce a two-pronged ordinance that would require Rockford Historic Preservation Commission or City Council approval before issuing a demolition permit for historic but undesignated buildings and before seeking court permission to demolish structures designated as historic.
The effort follows the demolition of the former Elks Lodge #64, a 113-year-old building that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2005. The building was left vacant since the 1990s. It was allowed to deteriorate until Rockford took the owner to court to demand it be repaired or face demolition.
Bonne said he is working to develop an ordinance that would require another layer of approval to seek court permission to demolish such structures beyond city administration alone. A member of the Rockford Historic Preservation Commission, Bonne said he would also like to see City Council or Commission approval be required for permitting demolition of structures that are historic but have not yet been designated as a landmark…