2025-2026 Geo-Institute Cross-USA lecturer, Dr. Carlos Santamarina from Georgia Institute of Technology
2025-11-20 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Pazzo’s at 311, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States
We’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting the 2025-2026 Geo-Institute Cross-USA lecturer, Dr. Carlos Santamarina from Georgia Institute of Technology, for our November Dinner meeting on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at Pazzo’s.

Our Distinguished guest, Dr. Santamarina will be presenting on Geotechnical Engineering in the Information Age: From Properties to Analysis & Design.

You’ll find the event details and registration links at Constant Contact Landing Page.

Please reply to asceilgeotech@gmail.com if you have issues with the registration process or have additional questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

IL Section ASCE, Technical Institutes, and Younger Member Group Holiday Party
2025-12-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Haymarket Pub & Brewing, 737 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
Celebrate the season with us! Enjoy a fun night filled with holiday cheer, an open bar, and hearty appetizers. Bring an unwrapped gift to donate to A Greater Good Foundation and help make the season brighter for others.
Dress in your favorite holiday style!

Price – $75 per person / $35 per student

Sponsorship – $300 (Includes 2 Tickets & Advertisement at the Event and on Social Media)

Register here by December 1st.

Information will also be available about the Illinois Section ASCE, Technical Institutes and Younger Member Group if you are interested in getting more engaged in the upcoming year.

Contact: communications.ymg@isasce.org

GI/AEG Joint Meeting with speaker Christopher Stohr
2026-01-20 17:00 - 19:30 | Pazzo’s at 311, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States
Join Geo-Institute and The Association of Environmental Engineering & Geologist (AEG) for a joint dinner meeting with presenter, Christopher Stohr on Retrospective of the Earthline Hazardous-Waste Landfill Failure, a Case Study of Legacy Landfills and Dumps and Improving Field Inspections to Reduce Groundwater Contamination.

Abstract
Subject of a landmark, legal-precedent setting trial, an unlined, hazardous-waste landfill was said by experts ‘not to leak in 100 years’ however, contaminants were detected in monitoring wells 3 meters from the burial trenches only 3 years after closure. Field and lab tests, and remote sensing measurements showed causes for the ‘faster than predicted’ contaminant migration from a hazardous waste landfill, but why? Legacy landfills are unlined, thinly-covered cemeteries of waste similarly constructed throughout the world. Most landfill inspections mostly rely upon institutional memory and traditional ‘walk over’ traverses to identify flaws and deficiencies for written reports. These defects can be better identified and mapped by image processing of freely-available airborne lidar, historical black and white photography and modern color infrared orthoimagery using GIS technology to direct low-cost, spot repairs for maintenance and custodial care to reduce undesired contamination from legacy waste structures.

About the Speaker
Dr. Christopher ‘Chris’ Stohr (retired, Illinois State Geological Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Mahomet Aquifer Council, Illinois Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists, currently 2025-2026 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer.
Chris Stohr continues professional and community work after more than 40 years of applied geology, research and humanitarian work in the midwestern USA, Africa and South America. Obtaining a BS in Geology at Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer IN and MS in Engineering Geology at Purdue University developing applications for innovative digital image processing of remotely sensed imagery at the Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing. Chris began work at the Missouri Geology and Land Survey performing investigations for dams, sewage lagoons, hazardous and nuclear waste sites, dye tracing, dumps and landfills in the Ozarks and throughout that state; directed an inventory of 3,600 dams; and conducted a site selection study for hazardous waste disposal facilities in Missouri. He worked as part of a Shannon and Wilson team conducting special fault studies, reconnaissance mapping, trench mapping and paleomagnetic studies for nuclear power plant in central Iran using U.S. NRC procedures.
Register Here
Price Range: $25-70
Questions contact asceilgeotech@gmail.com
GI and AEG Joint Dinner Flyer 1/20/26

2026 Multi-Region Leadership Conference
2026-01-29 - 2026-01-31 | Marriott Chicago O’Hare, 8535 W Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL, 60631, United States
The 2026 Multi-Region Leadership Conference (MRLC) will be hosted in Chicago, Illinois. The ASCE Illinois Section Younger Member Group will be hosting the Central Region Younger Member Conference (CRYMC) in partnership with ASCE, and the Illinois Section of ASCE.

There will be about 200 civil engineers and civil engineering students attending the event. ASCE Regions 3,6, and 7 (spanning the central U.S., Canada, and Mexico) will be represented.

We are looking for sponsorships! Supporting the CRYMC is an opportunity to showcase your firm’s commitment to the profession while gaining direct access to future and current industry leaders. Sponsorship packages range from $100 to $10,000.

Information on sponsorships, click here.

Location: Marriott Chicago O’Hare (8535 W Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631)

CRYMC Events
Thursday, January 29th
CRYMC Thursday Technical Tour: Google Renovations of the James R Thompson Center

Clark Construction will provide a tour of their progress at the James R Thompson Center, a building in the process of being redeveloped into the Google Center. The building, for many years owned by the State of Illinois and used for governmental offices, will become the Google Center and a signature space for Google’s Chicago area presence. The building is a stellar example of post-modern architecture, including the curved glass ceiling whose feature will be preserved upon completion of the renovations. The late and great architect of the building, Helmut Jahn, left his mark on many city buildings, as well as other world-renowned buildings. Taking up a whole city block, one cannot miss this grand structure, especially while at work to bring it into the 21st century.

Time: 4p-6p (subject to change)

Location: Blue Line Cumberland Station to Clark/Lake Station. Additional details to follow.
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Thursday, January 29th
CRYMC Thursday Pre-Conference Networking Night: Punch Bowl Social

CRYMC attendees are invited to join us at the following ticketed event to kick off a great start to the conference! Punch Bowl Social, originally founded in Denver and since expanded to many cities, hosts a wonderful ambiance complete with excellent drinks and food, games to throwback to your college days and your youthful days such as bowling, karaoke, and darts! Our Chicago location is centered in the quickly changing Fulton Market, where one is bound to see a new building in the works nearby. The large venue will provide optimal time to reconnect with those you know well, and network with fellow attendees you’ve just met. We look forward to seeing you there!

Time: 7-10pm

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Friday, January 30th
CRYMC Friday Night Awards Banquet (Open to Conference Attendees Only)

Our Awards Banquet is inspired by the famous 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, more commonly referred to as the World’s Columbian Exposition. Carnival games of many kinds will follow our Awards ceremony and dinner, and at your seats you will find historical postcards featuring many noteworthy buildings, spectacles, and scenes from the event! Historical information will be present to learn more about the local response and perspectives, as well as little known facts. Horticultural artifacts, a notable highlight from the Exposition, can be found at each table, as well as the much renowned Devil in the White City nonfiction novel, a detailed telling of the fair preparation and lead up! Celebrate with your peers as we commend those who have worked all year to promote the causes of our Younger Member Groups and Sections and the broader goals and aims of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Time: 6-10pm

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Saturday, January 31st
CRYMC Saturday Dinner Outing

Join us for a group dinner outing at a TBD restaurant! End the conference with a taste of what Chicago has to offer – great food with a variety of cuisines represented! Stay tuned for information on timing and location of the venue. Open to YMs and Students. Please note that dinner will be pay-your-way.

Time: 6-10pm

Register for events here

More Information: Sponsorship flyer_CRYMC_2026
More Information: Events

T&DI January 2026 Luncheon: Conner Randy - Commissioner - CDWM
2026-01-29 11:30 - 13:30 | Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Join T&DI for a luncheon with Commissioner Chicago Department of Water Management, Randy Conner.
In 2026, Commissioner Conner will spearhead DWM efforts to deliver a robust capital improvement program to replace water mains, and sewer mains and renovate critical DWM facilities. He will ensure that the department will continue to increase the number of lead service line replacements throughout the City. This work is critically important as the nation looks to Chicago- the city with the most lead service lines at 406,000- for best practices on how to effectively address this legacy infrastructure issue.

For more information and registration, click here.
Price: $35-60 per individual; Sponsorships available
Register: here by 4PM on Monday, January 26th, 2026

Any questions, contact programs.tdi@isasce.org

Geo-Institute Dinner Meeting: Construction of the Chicago Spire
2026-02-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Pazzo’s at 311, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States
Join us as we learn about the construction of the Chicago Spire! When the Chicago Spire project was mothballed in 2008 at the onset of the Great Recession, many wondered what would become of the site. For years, the site sat vacant with only “Chicago’s Largest Swimming Pool” as evidence of the previous work. Fast forward 18 years and the north tower of the 400 N Lake Shore Drive complex is well on its way to its full height of 875 feet. This presentation explores the original construction of the Chicago Spire foundations and earth retention, how it was incorporated into the new 400 N LSD development, and new additions that are bringing the latest project to life.

If you want to learn more information about our speakers, click here.

Price: $25-$70

Register here!

IL-ASCE and YMG: Professional Mixer and Trivia Night
2026-02-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Benesch Office, 35 W Wacker Dr #3300, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Join the IL-Section ASCE Mentorship Program Committee and Younger Members Group for a night of networking, LinkedIn Best Practices, and… TRIVIA! Light food and beverages will be provided.

Registration is required by Monday, February 23rd. RSVP here.

Event is FREE for Mentorship Pairs and ASCE/Student Members

Water System Resiliency
2026-03-04 17:00 - 19:00 | V3 Consulting, 7325 Janes Ave. #100, Woodridge, IL, 60517, United States
UESI and EWRI are excited to jointly host an evening technical presentation on Water System Resiliency on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at V3 Companies in Woodridge, IL.
The program will explore how water utilities prepare for, respond to, and recover from major system disruptions. Rebecca Cramer (Hazen and Sawyer) will discuss emergency planning and resiliency strategies for water distribution systems, including preparing for extreme weather and infrastructure failures. Ramesh Kanapareddy (NSMJAWA) will share a real-world case study on community outreach and coordination during the repair of a critical 90-inch transmission main, while Paul May (DuPage Water Commission) will highlight operational practices that ensure reliable water delivery across multiple communities.
📅 March 4, 2026
🕔 Check-in: 5:15 PM | 🎤 Presentations: 6:00 PM 🍽️ Dinner provided
📚 PDHs available
A great opportunity for water professionals to earn PDHs, gain practical insight into system resiliency, and connect with peers across the industry. Attendance is $75 per person with company sponsorship opportunities available for $350 (includes two registrations and advertisement throughout the night). If interested in sponsorship please contact Francisco Martinez, fmartinezacosta@hanson-inc.com.
Register here: https://lnkd.in/gD2nrHj9

Geo-Institute Dinner Meeting: NEORSD Project Clean Lake - Planning, Design, and Construction of CSO Tunnels
2026-03-24 17:30 - 20:00 | Pazzo’s at 311, 311 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States
Join us as we learn about the Project Clean Lake! It is a 25‑year program being implemented by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) in Cleveland, OH. The program’s goal is to reduce annual raw sewage discharges into Lake Erie by more than 4 billion gallons annually. When completed in 2036, it will enable the capture and treatment of more than 98% of wet‑weather flows within the District’s combined sewer system.

If you want to learn more information about our speaker and event, click here.

Register here!

IS-ASCE T&DI March Luncheon with CDOT's Acting Commissioner, Craig Turner, PE, PLS
2026-03-26 11:30 - 13:30 | Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Craig Turner, PE, PLS, is proud to serve as CDOT’s Acting Commissioner. He most recently served as CDOT’s First Deputy Commissioner and previously lead CDOT’s Division of Electrical Operations.
Craig brings a broad range of experience in transportation infrastructure, with a career spanning both public service and the private sector. He began his work in government at the Illinois Department of Transportation and later served at the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. From 2002 to 2020, he held a variety of roles at private engineering firms, where he fulfilled roles from staff engineer to Director of Civil/Transportation. He joined CDOT in 2020 and has since risen to his current leadership position. Across both his work in the private sector and at the City, Craig played a critical leadership role in the successful delivery of the Chicago Smart Lighting Program.
Register by 4pm on Monday, March 23rd. If you want to learn more information about our speaker and event, click here.
Price: $35-$75
Register here!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event!

IL Section ASCE Annual Spring Dinner
2026-04-22 17:30 - 19:30 | Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Save the date for our annual President Elect / Scholarship Award Dinner. We are excited to have the
Society President-Elect, Carol Ellinger Haddock, as our guest speaker. The night will be followed by a
presentation of the Route 66 Centennial event. Then, we will conclude with recognition of our Class of
2026 IL-Section and Institutes scholarship recipients. A night of inspiration and celebration—you
won’t want to miss it!
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy (Chicago)

IS-ASCE T&DI April Luncheon with Illinois Tollway's Chief Engineering Officer, Manar Nashif, PE
2026-04-23 11:30 - 13:30 | Maggiano’s Oak Brook, 240 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, IL, 60523, United States
Manar Nashif is the chief engineering officer with the Illinois Tollway and is responsible for the policies, practices and procedures of the Engineering Department, which oversees all maintenance, design and construction operations on the agency’s 294-mile system of five roadways serving more than 1.6 million daily drivers in Northern Illinois.
Currently, with more than 25 years as a professional engineer, he and his Engineering and Planning teams are responsible for delivering the Illinois Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion Move Illinois capital program, now in its 15th year, as well as the 7-year, $2 billion Bridging the Future capital plan.
Nashif joined the Tollway in 2005 as a senior project engineer and later served as a deputy chief of program implementation. In that role, he took on responsibility for the design and construction of the Illinois Route 390 Tollway – the first entirely cashless roadway on the Tollway system – and the new I-490 Tollway as part of the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.

Register by 4pm on Monday, April 20th.

Price: $35-$75

Register here!

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event!

Route 66 Centennial
2026-04-30 17:00 - 2026-05-03 21:00 | IL
Joliet, IL will be serving as an official Satellite City for the 2026 Route 66 Centennial. The kickoff for the event on April 30, 2026, will include Joliet Slammers Baseball game at the Old Joliet Prison. Other satellite cities include St. Louis, Amarillo, Albuquerque, and Santa Monica.

More information to come!

2026 Geo-Institute Lecture Series
2026-05-01 08:00 - 17:00 | UIC-Student Center, 750 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Please join the Illinois Chapter of the Geo-Institute for our biennial Lecture Series. The Lecture Series will take place at UIC, where we will be hosted by Prof. Reddy and his department. This events provides 5 PDHs.

Speakers and topics are:

1) “3D SLOPE STABILITY ANALSYES IN PRACTICE,” Timothy D. Stark, PhD, PE, BC.GE, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

2) “Monitoring of Dams and Levees using InSAR – Lessons Learned”, Georgette Hlepas, PhD, PE, USACE

3) “Milestones and Challenges in the Construction of a 42-Acre Containment Facility in Milwaukee Harbor,” Justin Johnson, Michels Construction, Inc, and Kevin R. Johnson, PhD, PE, Mi-Tech Services, Inc

4) “Tunneling Through Complexity: Subsurface Challenges for O’Hare’s Stormwater Conveyance System”, Mark Stephani, PE, HNTB

5) “Design and Construction of the World’s Largest DMM Retaining Structure”, William Tanner, PE, Geosyntec Consultants and Matthew Chartier, PE, Geosyntec Consultants

More information on the seminar, registration links, and abstracts/bios for each of our distinguished speakers can be found here.

The full registration fee covers lecture attendance, continental breakfast, and lunch. Firms are invited to exhibit your products, services, or emerging technologies to the engineering community. Exhibitor space consists of a table and electric and includes one general registration to the conference. And if your company would like to sponsor the event, please click here!

We encourage you to register early for the Lecture Series. Early bird rates are available until April 1th.

Price: Individuals $50-450 | Exhibitor $850-1000

IS-ASCE T&DI May Luncheon with CCDOTH's Associate Director of Project Development, Katie Bell, PE
2026-05-21 11:30 - 13:30 | Maggiano’s Little Italy, 516 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Katie Bell, P.E. is a civil engineer with over 18 years of experience in the transportation industry. She has worked on a variety of multi-modal projects in the planning, design, and construction phases throughout her career. In her current role as Associate Director of Project Development at the Cook County Department and Highways (CCDOTH), she oversees the development of CCDOTH’s capital budget and multi-year program as well as provides leadership and oversight for technical Divisions which fall within CCDOTH’s Bureau of Project Development (Programming, Project Studies, Traffic Studies, and Mechanical/Electrical). Prior to joining CCDOTH, Katie also worked at the Chicago Transit Authority and AECOM.
Register by 4pm on Monday, May 18th. Register here!
Price: $35-$75

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event!
