The Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions (IAHPC), an association of 67 local landmark boards and commissions, is pleased to announce the following winners of the 2009 IAHPC awards. Robert Myers, IAHPC Board President, and Catherine O’Connor, Ex-Official board member, announced the winners and presented awards at IAHPC’s fall membership meeting in Quincy, Illinois.

2009 Commission Award: Village of Villa Park
(Carol Marcus, nominator)

The Villa Park Historical Preservation Commission has won the 2009 IAHPC Commission award for achievement in furthering preservation in this DuPage County community. The Commission organized an ambitious year-long commemoration of the platting of the original subdivision which in 1908 became the nucleus for Villa Park’s mostly European emigrant first residents. With a budget of less than $1,000 the Commission created a special presentation for 2009 Preservation Week, including an online, self-guided walking tour brochure; a model do-it-yourself historic resource survey; public display board; and subdivision markers with orientation maps.

In announcing this award, Robert Myers commented that this award goes to Carol Marcus as much as to the Villa Park Historical Preservation Commission. Her years of determined work on behalf of preservation in Villa Park is evident through much of the Commission’s work. At the time of the awards the entire Commission was volunteering at the second annual A Walk Back in time historic house walk but sent word that they were very honored and extremely excited to have won.

2009 INDIVIDUAL AWARD: Lauren Sunkel, Town of Normal
(Mercy Davis, nominator)

Town of Normal Associate Planner Lauren Sunkel has won the 2009 IAHPC Individual Award for furthering preservation through several highly visible and successful events promoting Normal’s historic resources. These events were educational and reached diverse audiences, including grade school and high school students, residents of historic properties, and visitors to historic Uptown Normal.

Lauren displays a passion for historic preservation which, combined with her educational background (Masters in Planning with an emphasis on historic preservation) and her graphic art skills, makes her an outstanding historic preservation advocate for Normal. According to the nominator, her sound judgment has resulted in consistent protection of designated historic properties, and her outreach efforts have greatly increased the visibility of the community’s historic resources.

The Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions would like to thank its Awards Committee members for their diligent consideration. They are: Tom Fentem, Quincy; Barb Sandberg, Moline; and Diane Oestrike, Rock Island.

Each year, the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions presents an award to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. Congratulations to the following award winners.

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