West Chicago might approve deal tonight to save historic house

West Chicago leaders tonight are scheduled to approve a deal that would prevent a 144-year-old landmark from being demolished.

The city council would authorize Mayor Ruben Pineda to enter into an agreement with the West Chicago Community Center, which will work to restore the exterior of the Joel Wiant House at 151 W. Washington St.

If the nonprofit group can resolve a list of exterior building code violations by April 30, the city will sell the historic structure to the organization for a dollar.

The group became involved as officials were considering the possibility of razing the house, which has been vacant for years and is in disrepair. After buying the brick structure in 2011, the city made two unsuccessful attempts to find a buyer capable of restoring it.

The future was so uncertain for the Wiant House that it was named one of the state's 10 most endangered historic places by the preservationist group Landmarks Illinois.

The city council meets at 7 p.m., 475 Main St.