Historical landmark designation for Cortelyou Commons at 2324 N Chalmers St
Votes › Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
- Record number: O2026-0024660
- Type: Ordinance; category: Historical Landmarks
- Status: Final
- Sponsor: Misc. Transmittal
- Committee: Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards
- Introduction Date: Apr 15, 2026
- Final Action Date: May 20, 2026
- Official record: Office of the City Clerk
Roll call: Passed May 20, 2026
50 yea, 0 nay. On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed. Voted at the City Council meeting of May 20, 2026.
Yea (50): Daniel La Spata (1), Brian Hopkins (2), Pat Dowell (3), Lamont J. Robinson (4), Desmon C. Yancy (5), William E. Hall (6), Gregory I. Mitchell (7), Michelle A. Harris (8), Anthony Beale (9), Peter Chico (10), Nicole T. Lee (11), Julia M. Ramirez (12), Marty Quinn (13), Jeylú B. Gutiérrez (14), Raymond A. Lopez (15), Stephanie D. Coleman (16), David H. Moore (17), Derrick G. Curtis (18), Matthew J. O'Shea (19), Jeanette B. Taylor (20), Ronnie L. Mosley (21), Michael D. Rodriguez (22), Silvana Tabares (23), Monique L. Scott (24), Byron Sigcho-López (25), Jessica L. Fuentes (26), Walter R. Burnett (27), Jason C. Ervin (28), Chris Taliaferro (29), Ruth Cruz (30), Felix Cardona Jr. (31), Scott Waguespack (32), Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (33), William Conway (34), Anthony J. Quezada (35), Gilbert Villegas (36), Emma Mitts (37), Nicholas Sposato (38), Samantha Nugent (39), Andre Vasquez Jr. (40), Anthony V. Napolitano (41), Brendan Reilly (42), Timothy R. Knudsen (43), Bennett R. Lawson (44), James M. Gardiner (45), Angela Clay (46), Matthew J. Martin (47), Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (48), Maria E. Hadden (49), Debra L. Silverstein (50)
Plain-language summary
Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: O2026-0024660 Ordinance.pdf. AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.
This ordinance makes Cortelyou Commons, at 2324 N. Chalmers St., an official Chicago Landmark. The building was first the dining hall for McCormick Theological Seminary and is now owned by DePaul University. Because of this designation, changes to the building's outside walls and rooflines will go through the city's landmark permit review.
- Cortelyou Commons is designated a Chicago Landmark, meeting two criteria in the Municipal Code (Section 2-120-620 (1) and (4)).
- The building was built as the dining hall for McCormick Theological Seminary, which was in Lincoln Park from 1864 until it moved to Hyde Park in 1974; DePaul University then acquired the building.
- It is described as an exceptional example of Collegiate Gothic architecture, with large traceried windows, buttresses, leaded glass, and carved figures.
- All exterior elevations, including rooflines, are listed as protected features for permit review.
- The Commission on Chicago Landmarks, which recommended the designation on April 2, 2026, is directed to create a plaque identifying the building as a landmark.
Who: The owner of the building, DePaul University, is affected because changes to the building's exterior and rooflines will be subject to landmark permit review.
Where: 2324 N. Chalmers St., Lincoln Park neighborhood, Chicago
Timeline
- Apr 15, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.
- May 19, 2026: Recommended to Pass, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. The matter was recommended to Pass by controlling legislative body.
- May 20, 2026: Passed, City Council (50 yea, 0 nay), at the City Council meeting. On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.
Documents
- ZLB 5-19-2026.pdf (Committee Letter)
- O2026-0024660 Ordinance.pdf (Legislation)
- O2026-0024660 Ex A.pdf (Exhibits)
- O2026-0024660 Transmittal Letter.pdf (Miscellaneous)
- O2026-0024660 Recommendation.pdf (Miscellaneous)
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