The Chicago area has been an epicenter of the teardown trend: the replacement of first-generation housing with newer and larger homes.
Communities struggle with the many impacts this trend brings, including the loss of housing diversity and community character, increased stormwater runoff and the removal of mature tree canopy. Proponents argue that teardowns increase property tax revenues and provide the kind of housing that buyers prefer. Jean Follett, one of the country’s leading experts on this topic, will help us to take a thoughtful look at the big picture in order to better understand how to tame teardowns.
Jean Follett has been working in the field of historic preservation for over forty years, half of it in New England and half of it in Illinois. She has worked on land conservation and easements, design review, establishment of preservation ordinances, survey and National Register nominations. Her most recent work has focused on historic building surveys for two major 106 Review projects in Chicago and leading strategic planning efforts for Landmarks Illinois and the Hegeler-Carus Mansion. She currently serves on the Board of Landmarks Illinois and is Chair of the National Trust for Historic Preservation Advisors.
The award-winning St. Charles Public Library District is located in the scenic Fox River Valley, 35 miles west of Chicago. The Library serves a district population of 55,092 residents and has a staff of 101. The St. Charles Public Library is an equal opportunity employer.