JHPC Commissioners | Commission Meetings | Committee Meetings
Ordinances & Amendments | By Laws | Application for appointment

Martha Hohisel
Martha Hohisel was appointed to the JHPC in 2000 and has served on the public awareness committee since that time.  She is currently the Chairwoman of the commission. Born in Joliet, she is a graduate of Joliet Township High School Central and Joliet Junior College.  A strong interest in Joliet's past led her to the commission as well as several other historically centered organizations.

Mike Daniels
Mike Daniels was appointed to the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission in November 2004. He has also served as the Vice-Chairman of Commission and was elected Chairman in 2008 and focusing his efforts in Public Relations. Mike’s has also restored his Landmarked home in the Cathedral Area and owns a restoration business in Joliet.

Bob Nachtrieb
Robert Nachtrieb, a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer, moved to Joliet from the Washington D.C. area in 1995. He and his wife Linda grew up in Palos Park, came to the Rialto in the early 1960s on dates before they were married, and moved east in 1967. They are now renovating an old house in the Cathedral Area. Bob has been on the Historic Preservation Commission since 1997, and was actively involved in establishing the Upper Bluff Local Historic District. Bob was instrumental in planning the sidewalk tile project in conjunction with the City of Joliet Public Works Department.

Mark Baker
Mark Baker was appointed to the Joliet Historic Commission on October 25 th 1995. In 1996 and 1997 Mr. Baker chaired the nomination committee for the commission and was instrumental in forming the Joliet’s first local Historic District. In 1999 Mr. Baker was appointed as chairman of the commission. Mark has developed knowledge in restoration/renovation of older structures from personal experience, as well as from workshops and seminars. Mark also is an active member of the St. Pats Neighborhood Association sitting on the executive board and as treasurer for the organization since 1995.

Sharon Merwin
Sharon Merwin has lived in the Joliet Area for about 15 years and resides in and older home in the Raynor North area. She is also one of the original Joliet Historic Preservation Commissioners, focusing her efforts on Community Awareness and Education about historic preservation. Sharon has also served as the Vice-Chairperson of Commission. Her background as Information Manager at Ameritech assisted the Commission in establishing the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission Website.

Harold Carlson
Harold Carlson was appointed to the Joliet Historic Commission in December 1996.  Mr. Carlson served as Commission Chairman 1997 thru 1998.  He was appointed to the Illinois Association of Historic Preservation Commissions in 1999 and served as chairman in 2004 and 2005.  He was instrumental in getting the 2005 Illinois Preservation Conference to be held in Joliet, Illinois and chaired that event.  Mr. Carlson is a lifelong resident of Joliet and is a local architect with Carlson Architecture. Hal is experienced in residential and commercial projects with an emphasis in historic context. E-mail:Carlson.architect@ymail.com.

Barb Newberg
Barb Newberg is currently serving in her 24 th year as a planner in Joliet. Barb has served as the Secretary of the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission since its inception in 1991. Barb has a B.S. degree in City and Regional Planning from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois and an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Art from Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona. Her particular areas of interest include research into the history of historic homes in Joliet and providing design assistance to Joliet homeowners involved in the renovation of historic property.

Bonnie Horne
Bonnie Horne was appointed to the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission in 1997. She was Co-chairman in 2004 and 2005 and elected Chairwoman in 2006 & 2007. She has participated in the many projects and workshops of the commission, including the 2005 Illinois Historic Preservation Conference held in Joliet. Bonnie is a member of the Cathedral Area Preservation Association where she is on the yearly house walk committee and is a past board member. She is a member of the Joliet Area Zonta Club, serving as Service and Literacy Chair. Bonnie is a full time realtor with Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell where she partners with her daughter, Shelbey Hammond.

John Hickman
John Hickman graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City Mo. With a B.S. in Photo Journalism. John’s major career is visual marketing involving booth exhibits and creating special events to help build a companies image and promote targeted products and public relations projects. Presently co-owner of Jan’s hair Salon and owner of Jan’s Boutiques featuring home accent furnishings, various collections, prints and floral arrangements. John is the owner of a local Landmarked home in the East Side National District. He has a strong interest in historical preservation and a desire to have and active role in Joliet’s Historical Preservation Commission.

Leah Kapsimalis
Leah Kapsimalis was appointed to the Joliet Historic Preservation Commission in 2007. Leah is also a Cathedral Area Preservation Association board member currently serving as welcome coordinator. She and her husband Nick are currently restoring their 110 year old Victorian home. She is also a full time Realtor with Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell.

Ray Skaggs
Ray Skaggs has a Bachelors and Master Degree in History. He has lived in Joliet all his life and has seen the changes, the neglect, and now the revitalization taking place. Ray is deeply interested in historic preservation and lives in a home designed by Charles Wallace who designed St. Pats, St. Ray’s and Washington schools. As well as the Gerlach Barcklow building. Ray and his Wife have been restoring and preserving their 100 year old home for 19 years.

Michele Lewis

Michele Lewis graduated from The School of the Art Institution of Chicago with a Masters of Science in Historic Preservation.  She has been working in the Preservation field for over 10 years and currently works for Downstate Restorations. Michele has a wide range of experience that involves both residential and commercial projects.