Blue Island officials this week added another layer of protection for their town’s historic buildings, approving a provision in the historic preservation ordinance that would subject violators to hundreds of dollars in fines and penalties.
Officials said the enforcement provision plugs a hole in the ordinance, passed in 1981 to protect buildings that date as far back as the late 1800s.
The fines would be imposed on home and business owners who launch unauthorized renovations or modifications to buildings that have obtained local or national landmark status.
“They must get a certificate of appropriateness from the city’s Historic Preservation Commission,” said City Atty. Cary Horvath.
Horvath said home and business owners who seek building permits for work on historic structures are immediately informed of the requirement when they apply for the permits.
Those who do not go through the proper channels can now face fines between $50 and $750, as well as additional penalties for not correcting unauthorized renovations.