A push is on to rescue famous Oak Park scientist Percy Julian’s home with supporters raising funds to pay taxes on the beloved house and a move by Rep. Danny K. Davis to have it declared a national historic site.
Percy Julian’s daughter, Faith Julian, has been struggling to preserve the East Avenue home, and began raising money through a GoFundMe campaign in September 2021 to protect it from tax sale. An anonymous donor paid off her 2021 property taxes, in the amount of $31,496.90, including interest, according to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office, temporarily keeping the home off the tax sales list.
“There was one person, an angel of mercy, that paid the tax bill,” Julian said.
Davis also announced he’s introducing legislation that will designate the home as a national historic site.
“[This will] let young people, especially, know that this era existed, that it has historical value,” he said.
A ‘trailblazing scientist’
Percy Julian was an African-American chemist and entrepreneur, known for his synthesis of cortisone, hormones and other products from soybeans, according to Britannica. He also registered more than 130 chemical patents and was an avid civil rights activist.
Percy Julian was referred to a “trailblazing scientist,” in a statement from Davis’ office for overcoming racial barriers and for his many contributions to science. He’s not the only famous individual with Oak Park ties, but he may not have received the same recognition so far.
Others include Ernest Hemingway, Frank Lloyd Wright and Edgar Rice Burroughs who all receive historical recognition in the village, Julian pointed out. Both of Julian’s parents fought for civil rights and made numerous contributions to Oak Park and society, she said.
“[This house] deserves recognition,” she said. “It deserves to remain a tribute to them as part of their legacy.”
The house also requires work to upkeep it. A lot needs to be done both inside and outside the home, Julian said, but her health affects her ability to keep up. While the home is structurally sound and well built, it requires some updating and care, said Jim Taglia, a former Oak Park village board trustee and friend of Julian. She was never married and does not have children, so the taxes and upkeep can be a lot for her to deal with alone.
“It would be a burden for anybody,” he said. “She’s trying to preserve what can be preserved, and doing the best she can.”
Over the years, the village’s rehabilitation loans and grants program has allowed for some repairs to the home, village president Vicki Scaman said.
Most recently, emergency repairs to the boilers were necessary before cold weather hit, Scaman said. Village manager Kevin Jackson worked with Julian to complete that, she said.
“Whatever supports true awareness of Percy Julian’s legacy is something that you do see great support of the board on, including myself,” she said.
If there ever was a case for reparations, Taglia said, it would be this one. The Julian family experienced extraordinary pain and discrimination, he said, and persevered regardless. A lot of the village’s history is reflected in that house, and efforts to help preserve it continue, he said.
The taxes
Julian still owes delinquent taxes for 2018, as well as taxes for 2022 and 2023. As of Feb. 22, she has $54,759 raised in her GoFundMe. She still owes $90,386.39, including interest, according to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office. The market value of her home is $1.1 million.
“I’ve had a lot of support from people in this village of Oak Park, people I don’t know, and I am so grateful to them,” Julian said. “I’m just humbled.”
Illinois State Representative Camille Lilly said when the pressing tax issue came to her attention, she reached out to Omega Psi Phi, Percy Julian’s fraternity, and Delta Sigma Theta, Anna and Faith Julian’s sorority, to alert them about the issue.
“Many members of both [the] sorority and fraternity are very interested in supporting,” she said. “As we go along in this process, we will learn more about how we can help … and help their surviving daughter, Faith, feel good about her family’s legacy.”
Sean Long, 10th district representative of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, said many individuals within the fraternity donated to help Julian renovate and save the home. Long said he led the charge to spur donations because it’s important to preserve history and stand with Julian in her efforts to save the home.
“If we don’t preserve things like that and honor those who contribute to where we are today, how do we expect future generations to honor and contribute and support?” he said. “It’s important for us to be an example.”
According to tax records, Julian has received a homeowner, senior citizen, senior freeze and disabled person exemption for taxes every year since 2019. But each year the taxes grow, Julian said, and the interest on her unpaid taxes continues to add up.
Taglia said the house could be auctioned off if the taxes are not paid in full plus the interest.
“Nobody would want that to happen,” he said. “She’s very comfortable living there.”
Historic site
Davis, who announced his efforts to save the house Thursday, said he was inspired to do so after speaking with village officials for quite some time, including trustee Chibuike Enyia.
Davis said Julian was “visibly moved” by the recognition, and he hopes organizations, such as philanthropists, and individuals with means contribute to the efforts to preserve the home.
“I’m very optimistic that we’re going to be able to restore the building and grounds,” he said. “We’re also going to be able to protect and keep articulating the value of what the good doctor and his wife did.”
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi lent his support for the legislation.
“It’s vital that we remember the contributions of pioneering Black Americans in advancing scientific knowledge that benefits all of humanity,” he said in a statement. “As an Oak Park resident, I am thrilled to see such a historic building recognized in my own town.”
Julian has said she’s been debating starting a nonprofit for the home to receive grants from other nonprofit organizations. Ultimately, she said she wants to see the home turned into a learning center.
“The world needs to be able to see, this is where Dr. Julian and his family lived,” Long said. “They should be honored.”
