The Chicago Building Congress Mission Statement

The Chicago Building Congress uniquely represents the entire Construction Industry, uniting its diverse membership by creating networking opportunities to build authentic relationships. Our active membership celebrates the built environment, recognizes individual contributors, and advocates for the industry’s future leaders.

Chicago Building Congress is the “cornerstone” of Chicagoland’s dynamic building industry;  its committed members unite and actively work together to fulfill our mission and common purpose by…
-Providing Professionals with networking and educational opportunities that promote future leadership
-Advancing the art, science and technology of the building industry
-Recognizing and celebrating the buildings that enhance the economic, aesthetic and social environment in our community
-Generating opportunities to serve the community and assist those who wish to join our industry

Chicago Building Congress is the only vertically-integrated trade association serving the Chicago area.  Its diverse membership includes general contractors; subcontractors; material suppliers; architectural/engineering firms and consultants; real estate and development firms; labor unions/trade associations; governmental and educational entities; legal and accounting professionals; financial, insurance and bonding firms.

PAST PRESIDENTS

  • 1939-41     Elmer C. Jensen
  • 1942-43     Oscar W. Rosenthal
  • 1944-46     Jerrold Loebel
  • 1947-48     Charles W. Nicol
  • 1949-51     W. Fred Dolke
  • 1952-53     Paul D. Angell
  • 1953-54     Harry H. Salk
  • 1955-56     Carl L. Gardner
  • 1957-58     Robert H. Wilson
  • 1959-60     Eugene G. Hart
  • 1961-62     Raymond J. Graham
  • 1963-67     Frank O. Zimmerman
  • 1967-69     Allan E. Bulley, Sr.
  • 1969-71     Thomas E. Cooke
  • 1971-73     Leo W. Witz
  • 1973-75     Stanley B. Bellis
  • 1975-77     Robert L. Johnson
  • 1977-78     Laurence H. Cleland
  • 1978-80     George A. Darrell
    • 1980-82     Joseph R. Rutunno
    • 1982-83     John B. Johannesen
    • 1983-85     Eugene E. Cook
    • 1985-87     Paul J. Helmer
    • 1987-89     Jack H. Bornhoeft
    • 1989-91     Thomas M. Gibson
    • 1991-93     James E. Zajac
    • 1993-95     Steven G.M. Stein
    • 1995-97     Joseph R. Krusinski
    • 1997-99     Dwight Miller
    • 1999-01     Fred Berglund
    • 2001-03     Michael M. McInerney
    • 2003-05     Anne Edwards – Cotter
    • 2005-07     James A. McShane
    • 2007-09     Dana Thorne
    • 2009-11     Bruce Watts
    • 2011-13     Gregory R. Meeder
    • 2013-15     James A. Sikich
    • 2015-17     Paul K. Helmer
    • 2017-19     Patrick Healy
    • 2019 – 2021 Rich Schuster