Chicago's 1927 Beaux-Arts Buckingham Fountain (Chicago Convention and Visitors Bureau)

The "American Idol" of historic preservation is coming to Chicago.

Some of the city's historic buildings in need will receive $1 million through Partners in Preservation, a program that American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the World Monuments Fund launched last year.

Last November, the National Trust announced that 13 historic sites in San Francisco would split $1 million after residents voted for their favorites. Of the 25 options, Bay Area voters overwhelmingly supported Bernard Maybeck's First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Berkeley, Calif.

Chicago residents are welcome to cast their votes this fall.

"American Express created the Partners in Preservation program to underscore the importance of preservation not only of buildings but of culture and history, and to promote travel and tourism around the country," Tim McClimon, president American Express Foundation, said in a statement.

In 1983, American Express raised $1.7 million for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The company contributed more than $10 million to help preserve 119 historic sites from the World Monuments Fund's Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites.

Want Today's News headlines delivered to your e-mail box? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter >>