CBC Merit Awards

The Chicago Building Congress Merit Awards have celebrated the building industry since 1956 by recognizing outstanding construction projects in the greater Chicagoland area completed within the past three years.

Geographic Scope: Primarily Chicagoland area and surrounding counties in Illinois, though projects outside Chicagoland have been considered in the past.

Eligibility:

• Projects must be completed within three (3) years of submission
• For 2026: Projects must be completed by December 31, 2025
• Open to CBC members and non-members
• Multiple projects can be submitted by one company
• Same project cannot be entered in more than one category
• Previously entered projects may be re-entered if not selected as winners

Award Categories (2026):

• Education – Pre K through 12
• Education – Higher Education
• Healthcare
• Residential/Hospitality
• Commercial Construction UNDER $50 Million
• Commercial Construction OVER $50 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse UNDER $20 Million
• Renovation & Adaptive Reuse OVER $20 Million
• Infrastructure or Industrial Construction
• Interior Build-Out
• CBC Equity Champion
• CBC Community Impact

CBC Equity Champion Award: Recognizes project teams demonstrating exceptional commitment to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Recognizes programs fostering workplace diversity, creative strategies addressing equity barriers, and community partnerships supporting underrepresented groups.

CBC Community Impact Award: Recognizes outstanding projects significantly improving quality of life in economically disadvantaged areas. Recognizes teams creating job opportunities, supporting local businesses, stimulating growth in underserved areas, engaging with community planning, and reflecting community diversity.

Judging Criteria:

• Design Creativity
• Project Challenges/Complexity of Construction
• Safety Record
• Impact on the Community & Inclusion

Entry Costs:

• CBC Members: $300 per project
• Non-members: $600 per project

Contact Information:

• Chicago Building Congress
• Phone: 630-510-4574
• Email: cbc@chicagobuildingcongress.org
• Address: 400 E. Randolph St., #3115, Chicago, IL 60601

Timeline (2026):

• Email Notification to Finalists: February 2026
• Judging Sessions: February 13, March 13, March 18-19, 2026
• Merit Awards Gala: May 7, 2026 at Morgan Manufacturing

How to Apply for CBC Merit Awards

1. Registration
   • Visit the project entry portal
   • Enter company contact information
   • Enter project title
   • Select appropriate category
   • Pay entry fee online ($300 for CBC members, $600 for non-members)
   • Multiple projects can be submitted in one registration
2. Project Details Form
   • After registration, receive automated email with link to Project Details Form
   • Complete the form with project information
   • Important: Form cannot be altered after submission—prepare answers before filling out
   • Answers should be succinct (judges review many entries)
   • Unless noted, answers may be as detailed as needed
3. Required Information
   • Project title and location
   • Project category selection
   • Project details addressing judging criteria:
   • Design Creativity
   • Project Challenges/Complexity of Construction
   • Safety Record
   • Impact on the Community & Inclusion
4. Finalist Requirements (if selected)
   • Submit Project Poster digitally (20" x 30" storyboards)
   • Title and location of project
   • Project team names (owner, architect, general contractor, engineers)
   • Brief project description with community impact statement
   • Minimum one color photograph
   • Participate in judging presentations via Zoom
   • One team member participates in post-presentation interview (5 minutes)
5. Deadlines for 2026
   • Merit Award Submission Deadline: February 6, 2026
   • Project Details Form & Photos Deadline: February 6, 2026
   • Finalist Poster Submission: April 5, 2022 (for finalist stage)
6. Judging Process
   • Initial judging (February): Determines construction category finalists
   • In-person presentations (March): Three days of finalist presentations
   • Winners announced: May 7, 2026 at Merit Awards Gala