Economic development professionals, elected officials, municipal staff, planners, tourism leaders, developers and community advocates from across Illinois will gather in Springfield Nov. 18-20 for the 2026 Illinois Main Street Conference.
This year’s conference comes at an especially significant moment following Landmarks Illinois’ acquisition of Illinois Main Street, marking a new chapter for the statewide program. Frank Butterfield, interim president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, will deliver the opening keynote on Thursday, Nov. 19, highlighting the opportunities ahead as preservation, community development and economic development come together in new ways.
“Historic downtowns are economic assets and important expressions of community identity,” said Butterfield. “I’m excited to join leaders from across the state in Springfield and help begin this next chapter for Illinois Main Street.”
Conference sessions will address topics including vacant and underutilized properties, small business support, downtown design, housing, tourism, placemaking, storytelling, partnerships and moving projects from vision to implementation.
“This conference is about everyone in the same room, learning from one another and taking practical ideas back home that can become real projects,” said Joi Cuartero Austin, interim Illinois Main Street director and senior program officer of economic vitality at Main Street America. “Whether you work in economic development, local government, planning, tourism, small business or preservation, the challenges facing our communities are shared ones, and this conference is to help support local leaders.”
Attendees can also take part in six complimentary Springfield tours, including at the Illinois State Capitol, Dana-Thomas House, Lincoln Home, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Governor’s Mansion and the Illinois Route 66 Experience.
“Our team was honored to be invited to host this year’s conference,” said Downtown Springfield, Inc. executive director Jay Shanle. “We planned this event at various locations throughout the downtown corridor to help new and returning guests experience as much of our city center as possible.”
The conference will also feature limited-capacity pre-conference workshops, statewide networking, the Lieutenant Governor Awards for Excellence in Revitalization and a hands-on closing workshop with James Rojas and John Kamp, authors of Dream Play Build.
The conference is intentionally designed as an affordable, statewide professional development opportunity, with registration at $175 for non-members, $100 for Illinois Main Street members and $50 for students with I.D. These tickets include a welcome reception, awards dinner and a brunch-and-learn with Aly Grady, deputy director for the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Tickets are available at ilmainstreet.org/2026conference now.
About Illinois Main Street
Illinois Main Street supports communities across the state through training, technical assistance, networking and resources focused on downtown and commercial district revitalization. The program is a Main Street America coordinating program now administered by Landmarks Illinois as part of the national Main Street movement.For more information, visit ILMainStreet.org.
About Landmarks Illinois
Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based, historic preservation nonprofit organization founded in 1971. Our mission is to accelerate the preservation and reuse of significant places statewide to foster healthy, livable and thriving communities. Through advocacy, funding, technical expertise and public engagement, we position preservation as an accessible, equitable and effective tool to support strategic, community-driven revitalization. For more information, visit Landmarks.org.
About Downtown Springfield, Inc.
Downtown Springfield, Inc. (DSI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nationally accredited Main Street organization working to enrich the downtown experience for residents, businesses and visitors. DSI is dedicated to creating and supporting a vibrant neighborhood through collaboration, creativity and leadership – because a better downtown means a stronger Springfield and Sangamon County. Visit DowntownSpringfield.org to learn more.