By Judy Carmack Bross
2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencers Elizabeth & Ethan Finkelstein, founders of Cheap Old House.
Jacoby Cochran, host of City Cast Chicago, was the evening’s emcee.
Debuting in the mid-1970s with a costumed gala at the Auditorium Building, the then fledgling Landmarks Illinois has presented the biggest night in preservation celebration at landmark buildings for almost fifty years. Once again the Old Post Office, the nation’s largest adaptive reuse project, was the venue big enough for the almost 700 professionals in the design, real estate and building industries as well as tradespeople, community artists and activists and community development professionals who were greeted by a marching band. Landmarks Illinois played a significant role in advocating for the transformation of a long-endangered and vacant former government building into an extraordinary event venue and office space.
The band Brass Animals descends the escalators to greet the crowd at The Old Post Office before the main program.
Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald welcomes guests.
2025 Influencers gather on the stage with past recipients.
The 2025 Landmark Influencers—Chicago Women in Trades, a non-profit trades training organization; architect and preservationist Chris Enck; and Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, founders of Cheap Old Houses)—were recognized for their preservation efforts at the celebration which raised almost $600,000.
2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencer Chris Enck, a preservationist and architect, receives his award on stage. He is joined by Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald and Board Chair Jackie Holsten.
Jayne Vellinga, Executive Director of Chicago Women in Trades, a 2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencer, gave an inspirational speech after receiving the award on behalf of her organization.
Landmarks Illinois Board Chair Jackie Holsten; Pete Kaha, Cairo Historical Preservation Project, Inc.; Landmarks Illinois Board Member Magdalena Novoa, University of Illinois; and Brian A. Bernardoni, Strategia Consulting.
Bonnie McDonald, Landmarks Illinois President and CEO, told us afterwards:
“This year’s Preservation Forward was a major success. It was a privilege to gather at The Old Post Office with hundreds of people who believe in the power of preservation and who wanted to join us in honoring our inspiring 2025 Landmarks Illinois Influencers. It is also important to note that, at such a volatile time in our nation’s history, it is inspiring to see a large group of people coming together to rally for our cause. We are incredibly grateful to the generous donors who sponsored the event, raised their paddles the night of or bought raffle tickets, all to support Landmarks Illinois’ mission-driven work of helping people across the state save places.
“Our 2025 Influencers exemplify preservation’s evolution—their hands-on, forward-thinking work is ensuring places of our past remain useful and relevant for years to come,” said Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO of Landmarks Illinois. “From Chicago Women in Trades, which is helping build a diverse and inclusive preservation trades workforce, to visionary architect Chris Enck, whose work blends innovation with tradition, and the Finkelsteins of Cheap Old Houses, who are making homeownership attainable by inspiring people to restore and cherish old homes—these honorees are rolling up their sleeves and making a tangible difference in the preservation field. We look forward to calling attention to their incredible efforts at the upcoming Preservation Forward event.”
Joliet Area Historic Museum representatives Gregory T. Peerbolte (Chief Executive Officer), Kelly Klobucher (Chief Operating Officer), and Steven Wright(Curator), with Jayne Bernhard from the City of Joliet.
Landmarks Illinois Board Member Zeb McLarin of McLaurin Development Partners and Kristin McLaurin of Wintrust.
During a paddle drop, everyone who donated $126 was automatically entered to win a weekend getaway to Southern Illinois, featuring stops at famous eateries, an iconic bourbon bar and more. The number was in honor of the 26,000 places Landmarks Illinois has helped save since its founding in 1971.
Landmarks Illinois Influencer Amy Mills of 17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro and Paula Maloney of Jackson County Abstract.
Skyline Council Chair Emily Sadjakof Partners for Sacred Places, Skyline Council Vice Chair Amanda Marshall of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., and Skyline Council Member Cray Kennedy of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Rachel Diazis, owner of Borinken Cakes.
The event’s After-Party featured a selection of treats from local bakeries, including Borinken Cakes, a small, woman-owned family business serving authentic Puerto Rican sweets. Owner Rachel Diazis greeted guests.
The after-party featured locally owned bakeries including Churro Parlor, Bittersweet, Whipped, Borinken Cakes, Give Me Some Sugar, and Sugar Bliss.
.Auctioneer Chris Hensley gives Elizabeth and Ethan Finkelstein, founders of Cheap Old Houses, a fist bump after they donated $1,000 to Landmarks Illinois during the evening’s paddle raise.
Churro Parlor serves churros tolate-night guests at the After-Party.
Photo Credit: Credit David T. Kindler and Maceo Bedar
For Further information about Landmarks Illinois visit): landmarks.org
