2025 - 2026 Award Nominations

For the last 38 years, the Chicago commercial real estate community has generously supported the Greater Chicago Food Depository with the proceeds of the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards. Last year's event raised more than $1.1 million for our neighbors.


2025-2026 Award Nominations

Join us on Thursday, May 14, 2026 to celebrate the achievements in the industry, lift up the Food Depository's mission of ending hunger, and enjoy an evening of food, drinks and networking!

ONE YEAR MORATORIUM RULE

All categories are subject to the ONE YEAR MORATORIUM RULE. Any nominee that has won an award in the same category with the same company and/or team at the past two Commercial Real Estate Awards may not submit for the 2025 - 2026 Awards. Nominees may submit again beginning with the 2026 - 2027 Awards.

TEAM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

If any category provides that the TEAM SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS apply, then any submission on behalf of a team of nominees shall be subject to the following:

  1. Team submissions will be accepted only from groups of individuals who are recognized as a team by their peers and by their company, and are not, for example, nominating the collective work of an entire business unit.
  2. Only one member of a team may submit a nomination in any category.
  3. All team members must share ALL fees for the entire 12 months.
  4. Each team member must be involved and compensated for all deals submitted for review.

The Blue Ribbon Panel reserves the right to question a team's composition and secure a letter of confirmation or documentation for the above statements from the nominee's corporate office.

THE RULES APPLICABLE TO ALL SUBMISSIONS

1. Submission Deadline

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5 p.m. Late submissions will not be accepted. No exceptions. The nomination must include the related Excel spreadsheet (if applicable), logos and photos.

2. Transactions, Projects, and Deals

Nominated projects must have been completed between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. All major contingencies must be cleared prior to the year of review. All submissions must have occurred within the 17-county Chicago metropolitan statistical area (MSA). Transactions from outside this area will not be considered and submissions that include these in their calculations will be disqualified.

Metropolitan Statistical Area

  • Boone County
  • Cook County
  • DeKalb County
  • DuPage County
  • Grundy County
  • Jasper County, Indiana
  • Kane County
  • Kendall County
  • Kenosha County, Wisconsin
  • Lake County, Illinois
  • Lake County, Indiana
  • McHenry County
  • Newton County, Indiana
  • Ogle County
  • Porter County, Indiana
  • Will County
  • Winnebago County

3. Evaluations

Each nomination will be evaluated based on:

  • Commercial success
  • Project complexity
  • Community impact
  • Innovative problem solving
  • Environmental impact
  • Any other related achievements

4. Spreadsheets

Categories requiring a spreadsheet will have a template link in that category's submission page. The Blue Ribbon Panel may request additional documentation.

5. Lease Restructurings

Re-worked or restructured leases will not be accepted for Special Achievements or Developments except for redevelopments/renovations creating a new use of real estate.

JUDGING NOMINATIONS AND VOTING

1. Blue Ribbon Panel Review

All nominations will be reviewed by the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Blue Ribbon Panel. The panel includes previous award winners, members of Chicago-area real estate associations, and industry professionals. The panel may validate, reject, split, or expand categories based on submissions.

2. Selecting Finalists

On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Blue Ribbon Panel will select more than two finalists in each category by secret ballot. If only one submission is received, the panel may select one finalist or choose not to award the category.

3. Notifying Finalists

On or about Wednesday, March 4, 2026, all nominees will be notified. Finalists will also be posted on the event website.

4. Voting for Award Winners

Finalists are voted on via secret ballot by all event attendees. Ticket packages and select sponsorships include one vote per category, cast by a single representative. The value of the vote is based on the package/sponsorship level.

To be eligible to vote, registration and payment must be completed by Monday, March 23, 2026.

5. Voting Deadline

Ballots will be available on or about Friday, March 13, 2026. Voting closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23, 2026.

2025-2026 Award Categories

Select award categories below to begin your submission. Once nominations are submitted, they cannot be edited.

Click here to log in if you previously started and saved a submission.