The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program recognizes local governments that, through their own initiative, have established local historic preservation programs. The CLG program is administered jointly by the National Park Service and the State Historic Preservation Office, which in Illinois is the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Rock Island was designated the first Certified Local Government in Illinois in 1985. The City benefits from participation in the CLG program by:

• playing a direct role in the National Register of Historic Places nomination process
  
• being eligible to receive grant funds set aside specifically for CLG projects
  
• participating in other state and federal historic preservation programs
  
• receiving direct technical assistance from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
  

To maintain CLG status, Rock Island must maintain an adequate and qualified historic preservation commission. In addition, an annual report must be prepared and submitted to the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. This annual report includes information on landmark designations, Certificates of Appropriateness, Certificates of Economic Hardship, landmark amendments, landmark rescissions, survey activities, National Register activities, monitoring of historic properties, activities of the preservation commission, historic property acquisition and disposition by the City, historic preservation programs operated by the City, educational meetings and information provided by city staff or commission members, meeting attendance and resumes of commission members. Each annual report is filed with the Rock Island Public Library, Augustana College Library and the Rock Island County Historical Society Library.

Access to Grants

Each year, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency receives an appropriation from the federal Historic Preservation Fund to assist in administering federal preservation programs. At least 10% of the funding must be set aside for sub-grants to CLGs. Rock Island applies for CLG grant funds nearly every year, competing against other Illinois CLGs for the funding. The federal grant matches 60% of every local dollar, volunteer labor or other in-kind services committed.

Rock Island’s grant writing program has been very successful. Since 1990, the following grant projects have been completed, many of which are detailed further on our Tours / Publications page.

Year/Project

2006

Hosting Heritage Tourism in Rock Island – Creation of Centennial Bridge Visitor Center and Chippiannock Cemetery Kiosk (Preserve America Grant)

2006

Broadway Historic District Tour Brochure and Audio CD

2005

150 Years of Epitaphs at Chippiannock Cemetery

2005

Reprint of “Downtown Rock Island: History & Architecture”
2004

Rock Island Historic Preservation Video
2004Reprint of Residential Design Guidelines for Rock Island’s Historic Districts and Landmarks
2004Keepers of the National Historic Register – Workshop Registration for Commissioners

2003

Redesign of Downtown and Highland Park Walking Tour Brochures
2002

“Stroll These Sidewalks” Brochure and Web Site Upgrade
2001

Historical Highlights of Augustana College Booklet
2000

United States Housing Corporation Houses: A Neighborhood Historic Preservation Plan
1998

Rock Island’s Historic Residential Neighborhoods, 1835-1955
1997

Park View Addition Walking Tour Brochure
1996

Rock Island’s Modernistic and KeyStone Neighborhood Brochures
1995

Hosted 15th Annual Illinois Preservation Conference in Rock Island
1994

“New Homes in Old Rock Island” Design Competition and House Plan Booklet
1993

“Roots of Your Landscape” Brochure and Video
1992

Residential Design Guidelines for Rock Island’s Historic Districts and Landmarks
1992

“Historic Landscaping for the Urban Lot” Workshop
1992

Rock Island History and Chicago Addition Walking Tour Brochures
1990

19th Street, 22nd & 23rd Streets, Western Downtown and 1918 Government Housing Brochures