# Historical landmark designation for Cortelyou Commons at 2324 N Chalmers St

[Votes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/legislation) › [Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)
- Introduction Date: Apr 15, 2026
- Final Action Date: May 20, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=4A54D18C-F631-F111-88B3-001DD80B0E39)

## 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/CE41BA5E-FF38-F111-88B3-001DD8033B18).

**Yea (50)**: [Daniel La Spata](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/1) (1), [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (2), [Pat Dowell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/3) (3), [Lamont J. Robinson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/4) (4), [Desmon C. Yancy](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/5) (5), [William E. Hall](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/6) (6), [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (7), [Michelle A. Harris](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/8) (8), [Anthony Beale](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/9) (9), [Peter Chico](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/10) (10), [Nicole T. Lee](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/11) (11), [Julia M. Ramirez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/12) (12), [Marty Quinn](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/13) (13), [Jeylú B. Gutiérrez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/14) (14), [Raymond A. Lopez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/15) (15), [Stephanie D. Coleman](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/16) (16), [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (17), [Derrick G. Curtis](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/18) (18), [Matthew J. O'Shea](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/19) (19), [Jeanette B. Taylor](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/20) (20), [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (21), [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (22), [Silvana Tabares](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/23) (23), [Monique L. Scott](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/24) (24), [Byron Sigcho-López](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/25) (25), [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (26), [Walter R. Burnett](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27) (27), [Jason C. Ervin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/28) (28), [Chris Taliaferro](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/29) (29), [Ruth Cruz](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/30) (30), [Felix Cardona Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/31) (31), [Scott Waguespack](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/32) (32), [Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/33) (33), [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (34), [Anthony J. Quezada](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/35) (35), [Gilbert Villegas](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/36) (36), [Emma Mitts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/37) (37), [Nicholas Sposato](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/38) (38), [Samantha Nugent](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/39) (39), [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40), [Anthony V. Napolitano](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/41) (41), [Brendan Reilly](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/42) (42), [Timothy R. Knudsen](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/43) (43), [Bennett R. Lawson](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/44) (44), [James M. Gardiner](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/45) (45), [Angela Clay](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/46) (46), [Matthew J. Martin](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/47) (47), [Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/48) (48), [Maria E. Hadden](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/49) (49), [Debra L. Silverstein](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/50) (50)

## Plain-language summary

> Written by AI (claude-opus-5-5) from the ordinance text only: [O2026-0024660 Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/fefc71c4-d06e-42a8-bde2-7e4979f7ea32.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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/CE41BA5E-FF38-F111-88B3-001DD8033B18). On motion of Alderperson Villegas, and unsuccessful motion to reconsider by Alderperson Mitchell, the matter was Passed.

## Documents

- [ZLB 5-19-2026.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/aca419ae-b515-49eb-857f-ad7f5638d3ff.pdf) (Committee Letter)
- [O2026-0024660 Ordinance.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/fefc71c4-d06e-42a8-bde2-7e4979f7ea32.pdf) (Legislation)
- [O2026-0024660 Ex A.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/abd3016b-aeb9-4e62-8be1-2cb121d6f99f.pdf) (Exhibits)
- [O2026-0024660 Transmittal Letter.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/96f8021b-bb33-4d6e-8ba2-c2d471711021.pdf) (Miscellaneous)
- [O2026-0024660 Recommendation.pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/2e446539-1876-4b5f-9321-f4e3046465b2.pdf) (Miscellaneous)

## Related legislation

**More from Misc. Transmittal**

- [Submission of public question by referendum to voters at November 3, 2026 general election on whether Illinois shall adopt Millionaire…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027073-submission-public-question-referendum-voters-november) (O2026-0027073, introduced Jul 15, 2026, Referred)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to voters at February 23, 2027 primary election on whether Illinois shall adopt Millionaire…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027074-submission-public-question-referendum-voters-february) (O2026-0027074, introduced Jul 15, 2026, Referred)
- [Historical landmark designation for Shop Building at Altgeld Gardens located at 13100 S Ellis Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027058-historical-landmark-shop-building-altgeld-gardens) (O2026-0027058, introduced Jul 15, 2026, Passed)

**More on Historical Landmarks**

- [Repeal of historical landmark designation for Cortland Bridge](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027856-repeal-historical-landmark-cortland-bridge) (O2026-0027856, introduced Sep 23, 2026, Referred)
- [Historical landmark designation for Bryn Mawr Avenue District located at 900 through 1100 blocks of W Bryn Mawr Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0027059-historical-landmark-bryn-mawr-avenue-district) (O2026-0027059, introduced Jul 15, 2026, Passed)
- [Historical landmark designation for Chicago Daily News Building at 2 N Riverside Plz/400 W Monroe St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0026117-historical-landmark-chicago-daily-news-building) (O2026-0026117, introduced Jun 17, 2026, Passed)

Sources and methods: [how we get and count this data](/about#methods) · [report an error](/about#corrections)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0024660-historical-landmark-cortelyou-commons-2324-n · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt