Chicago Roadmap 2.0 Named Top 100 Finalist for Chicago Innovation Awards

Chicago Roadmap 2.0, a partnership between City Colleges of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), has been named one of the Top 100 Finalists for the 25th annual Chicago Innovation Awards.

Chicago Roadmap 2.0 was selected from 356 nominees from a variety of organizations and industries, including corporations, startups, and nonprofits. The annual Chicago Innovation Awards recognize innovative ideas and initiatives that are making an impact in the Chicagoland area. In the coming weeks, judges will select 20 organizations from the Top 100 Finalists to receive this year’s Chicago Innovation Awards.

As a Top 100 Finalist, members of the Chicago Roadmap team are invited to participate in a one-day executive education course at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management next month. The team will also join fellow nominees and members of Chicago’s innovation community at the annual Nominee Celebration on September 16. The event brings together founders and entrepreneurs, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, investors, past Chicago Innovation Award winners, judges, board members, and mentors.

Chicago Roadmap 2.0 launched in 2025 to help ensure a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree for high school students. The innovative program makes sure the credits students earn in high school and at City Colleges seamlessly transfer to UIC—saving them time and money when earning a bachelor’s degree.

Chicago Roadmap 2.0 builds on the success of Chicago Roadmap, the nationally recognized higher education partnership City Colleges has with CPS. Chicago Roadmap, launched in 2020, aligns academic standards, curriculum, and postsecondary preparation to improve student success and support students through college on their way to a career.

Congratulations to the Chicago Roadmap team. This recognition highlights the hard work and collaboration between City Colleges, Chicago Public Schools, and UIC to ensure students have creative and affordable pathways to college and careers.