Village Wins 2025 Burnham Award
October 16, 2025
Back to Pressroom landing page.
The Village is proud to announce it has received the 2025 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan from the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-IL).
The Village is proud to announce that its Guiding DG project has received the 2025 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan from the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-IL).
The Burnham Award honors a comprehensive plan that advances the science and art of planning and is named for America’s most renowned planner, Daniel Burnham, whose famous advice “Make no little plans" continues to inspire the profession.
Guiding DG represents an innovative and unified approach to community planning, combining four major planning efforts—the Comprehensive Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Environmental Sustainability Plan, and the Downtown and Fairview Avenue Streetscapes Plan—into one cohesive framework to guide 20 years of community growth.
The APA-IL jury commended the Village’s “all-in” approach, praising the plan’s design, organization, and emphasis on best practices.
“The Guiding DG project truly embodies the spirit of big plans,” said Mayor Bob Barnett. “It reflects our community’s vision for the future and the hard work of our Village Council, staff, and residents.”
Special recognition goes to Village staff: Stan Popovich, Jason Zawila, Flora Leon, Scott Vasko, Emily Ericson, Jason Michnick, Mike Baker, Enza Petrarca, and Dave Fieldman.
The award was presented last week at the APA-IL Annual Conference and recognized by Mayor Barnett at the October 14, 2025 Village Council Meeting.
Visit GuidingDG for more information on all four plans.