News Updates

CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman Recognized by the Civic Federation with Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award

Erin Aleman, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), is the recipient of the 34th Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service award presented by the Civic Federation.

Erin received the award at a banquet Thursday morning that drew more than 275 guests, including leaders from the public, business and civic sectors from across northeastern Illinois.

For the last 34 years, the Motorola Solutions Foundation has given this award to Illinois non-elected individuals who show dedication to quality management, leadership and innovation that leads to lasting achievements and more effective government in Illinois. This year’s event theme, Government Done Well, highlights the Civic Federation’s vision for good government: stable, sustainable and resilient.

“We are extraordinarily proud to honor Erin with this year’s award,” said Joe Ferguson, Civic Federation president. “She was selected from an exceptionally strong pool of nominees — a testament to the deep respect she has across the region. Erin exemplifies the very best of public service, bringing together people from across sectors, leading with empathy, and often doing the unseen work that helps build our region’s future.”

The event included a fireside chat between Erin and Cook County Board of Commissioners President Toni Preckwinkle, which delved into personal stories and early influences that ignited Erin’s love for planning and public service.

Attendees also enjoyed a video featuring leaders and mentors who have impacted Erin’s public service journey, including: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Secretary for the Illinois Department of Transportation Gia Biagi; President of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago Derek R. B. Douglas; President and CEO of Openlands Michael Davidson; and Founder and Principal at Stanhope Consulting  Hubert Morgan, who was a mentor and manager to Erin when she worked at CMAP earlier in her career.

Erin said, “I am filled with gratitude to receive this distinguished award and share this honor with such an esteemed group of public service leaders.”

Civic advocates nominated Erin for her leadership, particularly for her work addressing the state of the mass transit system in Illinois. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act — signed into law by Governor Pritzker this week — advances the vision outlined in CMAP’s Plan of Action for Regional Transit.

“It is an honor to serve this region and work with incredible leaders on the CMAP Board, CMAP’s skilled and passionate problem solvers, and our many partners — government, community and business leaders, transportation experts and advocates. This milestone is a powerful example of what we can do when we work together — at a regional level — to solve complex challenges,” Erin added.

Erin has led CMAP — the regional planning agency for 7 counties, 284 municipalities and 8.6 million residents in northeastern Illinois — since 2019. She is the first woman to serve in this role and the first professional planner to lead the agency. Under her leadership, CMAP has earned a revered reputation for advancing sound policy, driving innovative solutions and leading transformational change.

Additional quotes regarding Erin’s leadership

“I’m very grateful that the Civic Federation takes it upon itself to honor people who are in public service. Erin, on the basis of the work that CMAP has done, is deserving… she’s been doing the difficult work of trying to bring people together across the region to focus not just on transportation and infrastructure, but on environmental resilience. There’s nobody else that’s doing that work, so that makes CMAP kind of a unicorn.” – Hon. Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

“Erin is helping guide our entire region toward making sure we set goals around these important issues for quality of life, housing and transportation, and makes sure that we follow up on them. It’s a huge role for our state. It’s a huge role for our region. One that Erin plays so well.” – Gia Biagi, secretary, Illinois Department of Transportation

“[Erin is] fabulous. She’s calm. She’s steady. She’s bright. She’s a connector. She is a policy expert. She knows the content very well. That was my main experience in working with her, that she was able to really drive a wonderful process that we all know ended up with a transformational piece of legislation in Springfield.” – Derek R. B. Douglas, president, Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago