The Illinois Engineering Council is in the process of establishing an Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame.  Besides honoring and recognizing worthy Illinois engineers and their accomplishments, one of the major objectives of the Hall of Fame will be to acquaint the general public with the many ways that engineering contributes to benefiting the public health, welfare and safety.

Each year candidates will be selected for enshrinement based on significant achievements in engineering. Plans are underway to identify advisory board members from the 19 engineering societies that make up the Council, who will elect engineers to the Hall of Fame.

Engineers of all disciplines will be eligible for inclusion in the Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame.  Although selection criteria are under development, it is expected that such criteria will include consideration of professional achievement, service to the profession, and service to the community. Nominees must have demonstrated significant engineering achievements in the development and design of projects, development of new engineering-based technology, and/or management innovations in the manufacture and production of facilities and services involving engineering principles and applications.

Initially, the Hall of Fame will be established as a “virtual” HOF on the IEC’s website. The IEC is also conducting a search for a location for the Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame to house the descriptions of the engineering achievements, professional backgrounds of recipients, various memorabilia and associated photographs, plaques and/or statuary. Illinois universities, corporate headquarters, and museums are being considered; reasonable offers are welcome.

The first enshrinement ceremony is planned to take place in the fall of 2006 at the Annual Outstanding Engineers Achievement Awards Banquet of the Illinois Engineering Council.