Someone I consider a local living landmark, Jim Peters, is leaving his post as president of Landmarks Illinois on Oct. 27. Here’s wishing him the best of luck.

Peters joined the nonprofit organization in 2001, and in that time has worked tirelessly on saving buildings such as Cook County Hospital, the Lathrop Homes and Prentice Women’s Hospital, with extensive and feasible reuse studies.

He also has strived to make sure the preservation torch is passed down to the next generation of architecture lovers, by creating outings like historic pub crawls and groups like the Skyline Council, which is for preservationists in their 20s and 30s.

He’s also changed with the times, helping to create partnerships with organizations like Preservation Chicago, and expanding his organization’s reach with his talk show on Farm Bureau radio.

But despite all that, running a nonprofit these days is no easy task.

“Just kind of keeping the place open sometimes is an accomplishment,” said Peters, who worked for the city’s Department of Planning and Development for more than a decade in a variety of roles and has spent the same amount of time at Landmarks, with the last three years as president.

He’ll now have the time to independently consult and teach preservation in the spring at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

“There are a number of projects I’ve always wanted to do,” said Peters. “I kind of like doing different things.”

Yet after more than a decade, Peters leaves Landmarks proud of his many accomplishments.

“We’ve done a lot of good in that time,” he said.

As someone born and raised in this city who happens to be very mindful of preservation, I second that. Wholeheartedly.

I believe I can fly … Last Friday, the Illinois Dept. of Transportation approved the rooftop heliport for Streeterville’s Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. Yet the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents (SOAR) “strongly disagrees” and will appeal.

Campus Task Force co-chairs Betty Eaton and Patty Frost said they’ll keep the community informed on the next steps. They say many “serious and significant safety issues” and concerns raised by SOAR’s experts remain, including the absence of legitimate available emergency landing areas, the escape route into Water Tower Place, and the ability of pilots to have accurate site-based wind and weather information from which to make decisions.

All I can think of is the first public meeting on the issue I attended a few years back. Sitting behind me were two women living at Olympia Centre who were terrified a helicopter would crash into their apartments.

Can’t say I blame them. We all love that the hospital saves children’s lives, and no one would argue that it’s not the best. But a helicopter not only would have the obstacle course of downtown Chicago to navigate, but also those unpredictable lakefront winds.

Your thoughts? Tell me at write12@comcast.net.

A whole lotta love … is actually what most people feel for Children’s Memorial. That’s why Streeterville resident Rudy Malnati, Jr., is hosting the 3rd annual Jack Brickhouse and Rudy Malnati, Sr. benefit for the hospital Oct. 24 at Pizano’s, 1808 N. Waukegan Rd. in Glenview.

Celeb bartenders are former Bull Bob Love, Gold Coaster and Sun-Times columnist Bill Zwecker, former Chicago Bear Bob Avellini, the Blackhawks’ ice girls, 1953 Heisman Trophy winner John Lattner, anthem voice of the Chicago Cubs and Wolves Wayne Messmer, host of the web’s Sports and Torts Elliott Harris, and more. Lake Viewer Pat Brickhouse and celeb guest Mike North will also be on hand. The auction includes a Blackhawks-signed hockey stick, as well autographed jerseys from Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Patrick Kane, and other goodies.

The event will have an Italian buffet, entertainment, unlimited beer, wine, well and soft drinks. Advance tickets for adults are $35, $15 for kids. Door tickets are $45 or $20. Call (847) 486-1777 for more information.