Naperville Preservation Group to Seek Council Review
Naperville Preservation Inc. will ask the city council to consider its historic preservation plan, citing limited staffing for landmark work.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in City Hall
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Naperville Preservation Inc. plans to request that the Naperville City Council consider its historic preservation plan on Wednesday, after releasing the study 'Progress Through Preservation' earlier this year. The city has six landmarked buildings, and a city memo says at least 18 months would pass before staffing for historic preservation could be reassessed.
Why it matters
Naperville has one of the lowest landmarked building counts among 29 peer communities, and the city has said staff time is unavailable for preservation work. The nonprofit has asked the city to adopt some of its recommendations, putting the question of preservation staffing before local officials.
Naperville has six landmarked buildings, while Evanston, Aurora and St. Charles report counts in the double or triple digits among 29 peer communities. Currently, one assistant planner spends 15% of their time on Historic Preservation Commission activities, and none of the three planned new TED positions are specifically for preservation work.
The players
Naperville Preservation Inc.
A local nonprofit organization that released the 'Progress Through Preservation' study and is advocating for expanded historic preservation efforts in Naperville.
Benny White
A member of the Naperville City Council who signaled interest in increasing historic preservation staffing levels at a budget workshop meeting.
Patrick Kelly
A member of the Naperville City Council who signaled interest in increasing historic preservation staffing levels at a budget workshop meeting.
The details
The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously to review the plan, and council members Benny White and Patrick Kelly signaled interest in increasing preservation staffing at a budget workshop meeting. The nonprofit's request centers on the council considering its plan and directing the commission to review it.
Timeline
Spring 2026: Progress Through Preservation study shared with city staff and council members.
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2026: Naperville Preservation Inc. plans to approach the council with its formal request.
2027: The city plans to add three new full-time employees to the TED department.
At least 18 months: Time before city staff reassesses capacity for preservation staffing, according to a city memo.
Big Picture
The 'Progress Through Preservation' study's comparison of Naperville against 29 peer communities frames the city as an outlier in landmark designations. The nonprofit's request follows that benchmark by asking the council to act on staffing gaps the comparison exposes.
If the council acts on the request, residents may see changes in how landmark designations are reviewed and who staffs the Historic Preservation Commission. Any added preservation staffing would follow the three new TED positions the city plans to hire next year.
The takeaway
Preservation decisions in Naperville now depend on whether staffing gaps identified in peer comparisons are addressed in the city's budget process.
What happens next
Naperville Preservation Inc. plans to approach the city council with its formal request on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2026.
Further reading
Follow the latest council actions in Naperville City Hall coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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