ABOUT ILLINOIS MAIN STREET
Celebrating 30+ Years of Place-Based Economic Development
Since its inception in 1993, Illinois Main Street has been extraordinarily effective at working with communities across the state to revitalize downtowns and commercial districts through place-based economic development. Illinois Main Street programs have collectively secured nearly $1.2 billion in public and private reinvestment, added over 11,000 jobs, created over 24,000 new businesses, and rehabilitated 1,220 buildings since 1993.
Who We Are
Illinois Main Street (IMS) works with communities across the state to foster local economic development and enhance overall quality of life. IMS does this by providing hands-on training, statewide workshops, networking opportunities, and access to resources for community organizations focused on revitalizing their older or historic commercial districts. Learn more about our services
Illinois Main Street is now a program of Landmarks Illinois, a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving historic places and helping communities use preservation as a tool for economic vitality, local investment, and community development. This next chapter strengthens Illinois Main Street’s in-state capacity while continuing its long-standing commitment to supporting downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across Illinois.
Illinois Main Street remains part of Main Street America, a coast-to-coast network of organizations and individuals working to bring vitality and prosperity to downtowns across the country. Main Street America programs operate at the local, city, and statewide levels. They are united by a commitment to preserving and enhancing the built environment, celebrating local history and culture, and creating local economic opportunity through the Main Street Approach framework. Main Street America is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Our History
Illinois Main Street was founded in 1993 by Lieutenant Governor Bob Kustra as a statewide program dedicated to supporting downtown revitalization, historic preservation, and local economic development. For many years, the program was administered through the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, with design services provided by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
After Illinois Main Street lost state funding in 2015, the program entered a period of transition. In 2018, with support from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, the National Main Street Center relaunched Illinois Main Street and helped restore statewide training, technical assistance, and support for local Main Street communities.
In 2026, Illinois Main Street entered its next chapter as a program of Landmarks Illinois, strengthening the program’s in-state capacity while maintaining its connection to Main Street America and the national Main Street network.
