Amendment may help save historic Illinois schools

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Associated Press

Story Created: Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:01 AM

Story Updated: Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:02 AM

CHICAGO (AP) - Architects and preservation advocates are praising a change to Illinois law that may help save historic schools from the wrecking ball.
   
Gov. Pat Quinn signed an amendment to the state's school construction law this week.
   
The change allows school districts to consider rehabilitating aging buildings, rather than just demolishing and replacing them.
   
The preservation group Landmarks Illinois says there are hundreds of historic school buildings around the state. Some of them were on the group's list of the state's 10 most endangered historic places this year.
   
The group's president, Bonnie McDonald, said Thursday the amendment will help districts hold on to historic schools, many of which are architecturally important.
   
Landmarks Illinois says saving older schools is also the green choice because it keeps demolished buildings out of landfills.

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