Awards

2019

On July 16th, The Chicago Department of Aviation received the 2019 FAA Civil Rights Advocate and Partner Award for our DBE/ACDBE (Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) Programs. Midway’s 51% ACDBE participation marks the highest in the country.

2018

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) annual awards - Nuts on Clark in O'Hare Terminal 5 named one of best new retail concepts in airports nationwide (3rd place)
USA Today Travel 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Airport Bar/Restaurant Atmosphere for Summer House Santa Monica at O'Hare
OAG Megahubs U.S. Index 2018 - O'Hare Ranked Number One for Flight Connectivity

2017

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Engineering News Record (ENR) Midwest 2017 “Owner of the Year” for CDA
OAG Megahubs U.S. Index 2017 - O'Hare Ranked Number One for Flight Connectivity
Eno Center for Transportation FlyScore Metric - Chicago's Airports Ranked Number One in the Nation for Flight Connectivity
Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Chicago Chapter Project Achievement Award for O’Hare Runway 10L-28R renovation project
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Airport Concessions Award for O'Hare Terminal 5 food and beverage concessions program
ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Concessions Award for "green" concessions practices at both O'Hare and Midway
USA TODAY Travel 10Best Readers' Choice Award for best airport restaurant/bar atmosphere for Publican Tavern at O'Hare

2016

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Service Contest - Partnering with Concessionaires/Service Providers category - First Place award in the for "Airport Restaurant Week" at O’Hare
ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Service Contest – Special Events category - Honorable Mention for “Airport Restaurant Week” at Midway
ACI-NA Excellence in Airport Marketing, Communications, and Customer Service Contest – Promotional Items category- Honorable Mention for "Airport Restaurant Week" at O’Hare and Midway
Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) Project of the Year award for Runway 10R-28L at O’Hare

2015

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
2015 Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award for CDA’s sustainability accomplishments
Airport Revenue News (ARN) magazine “Best Local/Regional Retail Store” - The Field Museum Store at O'Hare
International Association of Airport and Seaport Police 9/11 Medal – Awarded to several members of CDA Safety and Security Section

2014

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) Infrastructure Project of the Year award for Runway 10C-28C at O’Hare
American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois 2014 Honor Award for Runway 10C-28C at O’Hare
American Council of Engineering Companies (National) 2014 Engineering Excellence Award for Runway 10C-28C at O’Hare
Future Travel Experience “Best Immigration Initiative” award for Automated Passport Control at O’Hare
Balchen/Post for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control award by the American Association of Airport Executives, Northeast Chapter – First Place - O’Hare
Balchen/Post for Excellence in Snow and Ice Control by the American Association of Airport Executives, Northeast Chapter - Honorable Mention – Midway
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Large Airport Concessions Management Team” - CDA at O’Hare
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Restaurant Design Large Operator” for Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi at O’Hare
Airport Council International Best New Food and Beverage Concept for ICE Dishes & Drinks at O’Hare

2013

Construction Service Industry Corporation (CISCO) Public Body of the Year - CDA
Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Anna.aero US ANNIE Awards “Airport With The Most New International Routes”, “Airport With The Most New Routes” and “Airport With the Most New Airlines” – O’Hare
Airport Business magazine's “Top 40 Under 40” for Jonathan Leach, General Counsel, CDA

2012

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Great Lakes Region Airport Safety Award – O’Hare
Make-A-Wish Illinois “Leader in Joy” award for the CDA's role in granting kids’ wishes at Chicago’s airports
Bronze Quill Award for public artwork – Midway
Moodie Food & Beverage conference "Best Fast Food/Quick Service Restaurant" award - O'Hare's Tortas Frontera restaurant
Chicago magazine “Best Airport Wine Bar” - O’Hare’s Bubbles wine bar
Sweet Beginnings Tea “Creating a Community That Works” award for the O’Hare apiary project
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) “Environmental Achievement Award” for the O’Hare apiary project
Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) Greater Chicago Chapter Innovative Transportation Solutions Award for Sustainable Airport Manual

2011

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Budget Travel’s 2011 Readers Choice Award - O’Hare voted Favorite Airport
Anna Aero “Fastest Growing Airport” in the passenger category - Midway

2010

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare

2009

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest -1st Place - Creative Innovations – Technology - O’Hare
Bentley “Be Inspired” Award – OMP African American Contractors Association Community Outreach Award – OMP

2008

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
J.D. Power and Associates Annual Airport Satisfaction Study - 1st Place – Medium-size Airport Division - Midway
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Concessions Contest - 2nd Place - Best New Retail Concept – Midway
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest - 1st Place - Public Relations Campaign- O’Hare
Federation of Women Contractors Innovation in Transportation Award - OMP
Illinois Governor’s Pollution Prevention Award - OMP
HACIA LEED Project of the Year - OMP

2007

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) - Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest - 3rd Place – Creative Innovations – Technology - O’Hare
Illinois Safety Council 2007 Safety Public Outreach Award - O'Hare Safety Expo
Illinois Safety Council 2007 Safety Awareness Focus on Excellence Award - O'Hare International Airport- Monthly Safety Meetings, First Aid and CPR Programs
Illinois Safety Council 2007 Environmental Outreach Award - O'Hare and Midway International Airports – “Month of Environment” Program
Hispanic American Construction Industry Association Project of the Year – OMP
Mayor Daley’s Greenworks Award - OMP

2006

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Concessions Design” - Midway
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Customer Service Airport-Wide” - Midway
Federal Aviation Administration - Great Lakes Region Runway Safety Promotion Award - O'Hare
International Right of Way Association of Illinois - OMP
Mayor Daley’s Greenworks Award - OMP
United States Green Building Council’s Small Feet, Large Feat award - OMP

2005

Global Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
American Public Works Association Chicago Metropolitan Chapter Project of the Year Award - Transportation Over $10 Million - Midway International Airport for the Midway Terminal Development Program
Illinois Landscape Contractors Assn. Excellence in Landscape Gold Award - O'Hare
Federal Aviation Administration - Airport Partnership Award - O’Hare
International Right of Way Association of Illinois - OMP

2004

Business Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Government Assistance Program Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Public Innovator Award - 1st Place - Physical Space Design - Midway International Airport- Terminal Development Program
Federal Aviation Administration - FAA Great Lakes Region - Runway Safety Promotion Award - O’Hare

2003

Business Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Redeveloped Concessions Program, Large Airport” First Place Award - O'Hare International Airport
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Single Terminal, Terminal 1” First Place Award - O'Hare
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Redeveloped Concessions Program, Medium Airport” First Place Award - Midway
Airport Revenue News magazine “Best Concessions Program Design, Medium Airport” First Place Award - Midway
Nickelodeon magazine “Most Awesome Airport Children’s Play Area” - O'Hare

2002

Business Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Skytrax Airport Passenger Survey “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Federal Aviation Administration - Great Lakes Region Partnership in Runway Safety - O'Hare
World Travel Awards “Best Airport in North America” - O’Hare

2001

Business Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Skytrax Airport Passenger Survey “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare
Airline Pilot Association - Air Safety Award, Pilot-Friendly Airport - O'Hare
World Travel Awards “Best Airport in North America” - O’Hare

2000

Business Traveler magazine “Best Airport in North America” - O'Hare

1999, 1989, 1988, 1978

Balchen/Post Award for Excellence in Snow and Ice Removal, Large Commercial Airport - O’Hare