The Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-IL) is pleased to announce the 2026 Project Award recipients. The Chapter received a total of 30 nominations for outstanding examples of planning in Illinois. Congratulations to all who are recognized for their hard work, which seeks to advance the profession of planning in Illinois and nationwide! Click here for more information.
Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan
Lake Zurich Together Comprehensive Plan
Best Practice
City of Champaign Development Services Audit
Strategic Plan
95th Street Corridor Plan
Make No Little Plans
Bartonville Active Transportation Plan
Advancing Diversity & Social Change
Chicago Moves Electric
Student Project
Austin Reborn: Youth-Directed Plans to Revitalization
Join these Award Winners at the 2026 APA-IL State Conference
Award winning plans will be recognized and the 2026 Service Award winners will be announced at the 2026 Awards Ceremony during the 2026 APA-IL State Conference.
2026 Awards Program:
- 9/30/26 @ 5:30 - 6:30 PM Awards Ceremony
- 9/30/26 @ 6:30 - 7:30 PM Awards Reception
On 10/1/26, award winning projects will participate in the Speed Planning session. This is a great chance to hear why these plans are great examples of planning in Illinois!
Conference Details at a Glance
September 30 - October 2, 2026
Hilton Orrington/Evanston
Evanston, IL
#APAIL26
ilapa.org/apail26
About Us
The American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter (APA-IL) is Illinois' source for networking and professional development in the field of urban planning. The Illinois Chapter strives to enhance planning skills and knowledge through a number of activities including an annual Statewide conference, section meetings, planning awards, professional development, a newsletter, the website, and more. The Chapter exists as part of the larger American Planning Association. For more information about the APA-IL, visit https://www.ilapa.org/. Questions regarding the Awards Program should be directed to APA-IL Awards Chair, Sara Egan, AICP at awards@ilapa.org.