Paul Bednar and his family have set down deep roots in the Elgin area. He has a mission to provide great places for all people to live. Whether it be master planning communities in Northern Illinois, designing attractive outdoor spaces, rehabbing old houses and neighborhoods or giving a hand to individuals in need, Paul and his family are committed to being part of improving life for all people. Almost 33 years of active community involvement in Elgin include:
Restoring their landmark 1905 Colonial Revival-style home in the Elgin National Historic District to its former grandeur. These efforts were recognized with a 2015 Elgin Mayor’s Award and the 2015 Chicagoland Paint and Coatings Association Painted Lady award. Personally investing and restoring four other historic properties in historic Elgin, three of which were recognized as Painted Lady award winners, and two recognized with an Elgin Mayor’s Award. Paul served many years on the Gifford Park Association Board, some as president and some as the Historic Elgin House Tour Chairman. During these years, some of his major accomplishments were the implementation of the historic streetlights and street signs, improvements to Gifford Park, assisting on numerous GPA house rehabs, and overseeing many landscape projects including the GPA pocket park. Paul is currently in his 10th year as a board member for Greater Family Health in Elgin. His first 30 years were spent growing up in neighboring Hoffman Estates, where he was active as a Plan Commissioner and an Environmental Commissioner
Paul was a charter member of the Elgin Leadership Academy, then served on the steering committee for many years. He has also served as the Chairman of the Elgin Image Advisory Committee, responsible for improving Elgin’s image; Youth sports coach for baseball, football, and basketball; committee member for the PADS fundraiser; Habitat for Humanity volunteer with landscape projects and city approval processes; Fox Valley Land Foundation board member (now part of The Conservation Foundation); Willow Creek Community Church Promiseland
group leader for 15 years; Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin design committee co-chair; and the Elgin Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee member
Unique Qualifications
Paul has personally worked on numerous historic rehab projects both in his own properties and as a volunteer in community project homes. He knows what it takes, in terms of time and money to get projects done the right way. And he knows the City approval process and potential grant assistance programs well. He has assembled a list of expert tradesmen and professionals to help with everything from plumbing a sink to surveying a property for sale. Given his design background, Paul is capable of guiding home sellers in home staging, especially outdoor staging improvements. He is also able to help a potential homebuyer see the potential in a property that might appears to be in need of some physical improvements and TLC. Education and Professional Experience
Paul has a degree from the University of Illinois in Landscape Architecture and is a licensed Landscape Architect (RLA) and a Certified Planner, (AICP). Prior to becoming a licensed real estate broker, Paul used this experience in his small municipal consulting firm, Paul Bednar Planning & Design, Ltd; as a park development coordinator for the City of Elgin; as the director of planning for Burnidge Cassell Associates in Elgin and as a Village Planner for both Mt Prospect, IL. During this period he was a recipient of a number of awards from the American Planning Association-Illinois Chapter and the American Society of Landscape Architecture-Illinois Chapter for various design and planning projects. He is currently a member of the National Association of Realtors and Illinois Association of Realtors
