Complete Story
07/19/2026
Call for 2026 APA-IL Awards Program Nominations!
Every great Illinois community starts with a blueprint. It begins with an innovative idea, a collaborative process, and dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to transform a vision into reality.
The submission window is officially open for the 2026 APA-IL Awards! We invite you to help us honor the outstanding achievements, innovative plans, and exceptional people shaping the future of planning across our state.
We are looking for submissions across two major tracks:
Project Awards: Celebrating the exceptional "blueprints" from comprehensive and strategic plans to tools advancing diversity and grassroots social change.
- Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan
- Strategic Plan
- Best Practice
- Advancing Diversity and Social Change
- "Make No Little Plans"
- Student Project
Service Awards: Honoring the architects of our profession. The advocates, emerging planners, and lifetime achievers pouring their hearts into public service.
- Planning Advocate
- Distinguished Service or Contribution
- Emerging Planner
- Lifetime Achievement
- Most Valuable Planner
Ready to submit? View the 2026 Awards Program guide here for all the details.
Nominations are due by 5:00 PM CST, August 7, 2026.
(the deadline will not be extended)
Let’s celebrate the blueprints 📏📐✍️ making Illinois safer, stronger, and more equitable.
FAQ:
Where do I get all the program details?
Download the 2026 APA-IL Awards Program guide (.pdf) for this year's details and instructions.
Is there a fee?
Project nominations carry a $75 entry fee (hardship waivers available), while Service nominations & Student Projects are free to submit.
Students: use promo code MOSTLIKELYTOWIN to waive the fee.
Can I submit a project that hasn't been finalized?
There is no eligibility criteria that mandates a plan's approval or a letter of support from the organization that the plan is for. However, we encourage you to thoroughly review the criteria that will be used to evaluate each of the nominations. Not having either could affect the jury's scoring of the plan.
Why do I need to login to submit a Project Award nomination?
Project Awards must be submitted by APA-IL members. Information on APA national and Illinois Chapter membership can be found HERE.
Can I submit a Service Award nomination as a non-member?
Yes. Any interested parties can submit a service award nomination. Project Awards must be submitted by Illinois Chapter members.
Can I mail you a paper copy of my nomination?
No. All submissions must be submitted online. Hard-copy submissions will NOT be accepted.
Where and when will a winner be recognized?
Award winners will be honored in conjunction with the 2026 APA-IL State Conference. An Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held on September 30, 2026. Conference attendance is not required.
Questions?
Contact Awards Chairperson, Lily Wilcock, AICP at awards@ilapa.org.
