Our Story

Having been at the forefront of the engineering industry for the past few decades, we succeed in municipal, environmental, transportation, and civil engineering best practices. Our firm thrives on being a full-service company meeting the needs of both private and public sector clients.

We’re the leaders of engineering

Our Story

CBBEL is unique among consulting engineering and surveying firms in that we are a full-service company that can comprehensively meet the needs of both private and public sector clients. Guided by founder and CEO Christopher B. Burke, our “family business” corporate philosophy allows for a level of personal service that provides peace of mind. Our Illinois based staff of 227 and expansive list of specializations—civil, municipal, transportation, water resource, mechanical, structural, construction, traffic, and environmental engineering and environmental resource services—provide professionalism and a depth of expertise that promote project success.

We are committed to delivering consistently accurate, timely, and cost-effective solutions to a wide range of engineering and environmental challenges. Our staff consists of experienced and responsive professionals who strive to provide engineering, surveying, and environmental services on a personal level.

We are proud of the high level and quality services that CBBEL has continued to provide to our clients over the years and we look forward to working with you in the future.

Awards and Recognition

Over the years our work and service has been recognized by many groups and organizations throughout the country. We are proud to be a part of a great team working on projects that make a difference.

2023

APWA Suburban Branch APWA Chicago Metro Chapter ASCE-Illinois Outstanding Achievement

Neighborhood Storage Project
Village of Wilmette
Environment
($25 Million to $75 Million)

APWA Suburban Branch APWA Chicago Metro Chapter

Neighborhood Flood Mitigation and
Levee Drainage Enhancements
Village of Mount Prospect
Environment, Small/Rural Cities

2022

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter/Southwest Branch Project of the Year

Structures
($5 Million, Less Than $25 Million)

New Lenox Rock Island Metra Station (Village of New Lenox

APWA Southwest Branch Project of the Year

Transportation

($5 Million, Less Than $25 Million)

151st Street Improvements (Village of Orland Park)

APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environmental Category

(Less Than $5 Million)

College View Stormwater Improvement (City of Elmhurst)

2021

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter/Southwest Branch Project of the Year

Transportation

(Less Than $5 Million) 

US 52 @ River Road

(Village of Shorewood)

ACEC-Illinois 2021 Engineering Excellence Award

Environment

(Less Than $5 Million) 

Addison Creek Restoration Project

(City of Northlake) 

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter/Fox Valley Branch Project of the Year

Transportation

($5 Million, Less Than $25 Million) 

Main Street Streetscape

(Village of Algonquin)

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment

(Less Than $5 Million) 

Saylor/Swain/Vallette Stormwater Improvements

(City of Elmhurst)

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment

($5 Million, Less Than $25 Million) 

Lincolnwood Transmission Main

(Village of Lincolnwood)

2020

Best Workplaces for Commuters

For the third consecutive year, CBBEL has been named one of the Best Workplaces for Commuters

APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environmental Category

($25 Million to $75 Million)

Stormwater Improvement Projects (City of Elmhurst)

APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environmental Category

($5 Million for $25 Million)

Lake Michigan Water Supply Project (Village of Bartlett)

2019

APWA Presidential Leadership Award

John Heinz

APWA Chicago Chapter/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

($5 Million for $25 Million)

Chicago Avenue/Sheridan Road Multi-Modal Corridor Improvement

APWA Chicago Chapter/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

(Less than $5 Million)

Graue Mill Flood Protection Improvements

 

American Institute of Hydrology Ray K. Linsley Award

Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE, D.WRE, Dist.M.ASCE, NAC

CBBEL Named Kane County DOT Consultant of the Year

2018

IRTBA

Sustainability Champion Award

APWA Lake Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

($5 Million to $25 Million)

Deerfield Road Reconstruction

ASCE IL Section

Private Sector Employer Recognition Award

#7 on People for Bike's America's 10 Best New Bikeway of 2018

Chicago Avenue/Sheridan Road Multi-Modal Corridor Improvement

2017

APWA Lake Branch Project of the Year

Management Innovation Category

(Less than $5 million)

Libertyville Multi Year Utility and Road Program

APWA Lake Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

($25 Million to $75 Million)

Peterson Road Corridor Improvement

APWA National/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment Category

($5 Million to $25 Million)

Northside Stormwater Management Project

APWA National/Chicago Chapter/Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment Category

($25 Million to $75 Million)

Elmwood Park Flood Mitigation Project

APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment Category

(Less than $5 Million)

Walnut Myrtle Evergreen Stormwater Improvement Project

2016

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter Inducts CBBEL's John Heinz into Hall of Fame
APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Environment

(Less than $5 million)

Bartlett FEMA Flood Control Project

Active Transportation Alliance’s article on Bikes for Lesotho

http://activetrans.org/blog/local-partnership-sends-bikes-lesotho

ACEC Illinois Annual Engineering Excellence Award

Environmental Honor Award

Pine Dunes Wetland Mitigation Area

2015

APWA Suburban Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

(Less than $5 million)

Lake Cook Road Multi-Use Path

ACEC Illinois Annual Engineering Excellence Award

Merit Award — Special Projects

Lake Cook Road Multi-Use Path

ASCE-Illinois Section

Young Civil Engineer of the Year

Matthew J. Huffman, PE

Lake County Stormwater Commission

Richard A. Welton Stormwater Manager of the Year Award

John Heinz

ASCE-Illinois Section

Sustainability in Civil Engineering Achievement Award

Lawrence Avenue Streetscape (Western Avenue to Clark Street)

APWA Chicago Metro Chapter and Fox Valley Branch Project of the Year

Transportation Category

(Less than $5 million)

Kreutzer Road Extension

ACEC Illinois Annual Engineering Excellence Award

Special Achievement — Water Resources

Brewster Creek Flood Control Project

2014

IRTBA's Green Industry Award
APWA Chicago Metro Chapter Project of the Year

Structural Category

($5 million to $25 million)

River Edge Music Garden

Conservation and Native Landscaping Award

Natural Areas at Grand Dominion by Del Webb Community

Business of the Year

The City of Rolling Meadows presented Christopher B. Burke, PhD, PE with the Business of the Year Award on May 29

2013

Honorable Mention Governor's Sustainability Award
APWA Chicago Chapter Southwest Branch Project of the Year Award

Lockport Street

Professional Memberships

The staff of Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. takes an active role in a variety of professional associations. Through memberships and leadership positions with engineering and related organizations, our professionals strengthen their knowledge base and stay current in their respective fields of expertise.

American Academy of Water Resource Engineers
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois
American Public Works Association
American Society of Agricultural Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers
American Society of Civil Engineers – Student Chapter
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
American Water Works Association
Association of State Floodplain Managers
Chi Epsilon Civil Engineering Honor Society
Chicago Wilderness Corporate Council
Chicagoland Engineers Week
Consulting Electrical Engineers (CEE), Division of the Electric Association
Engineers Without Borders
Environmental and Water Resources Institute
Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management
Illinois Association of Environmental Professionals
Illinois Association of Highway Engineers
Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects
Illinois Prairie Research Institute
Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association
Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association
Illinois Society of Professional Engineers
Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA)
Institute of Transportation Engineers
Irish Engineers and Contractors of Chicago
Lake County Municipal League
Lakefront Supportive Housing
Metropolitan Planning Council
National Association of Flood & Stormwater Management Agencies
National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE)
National Society of Professional Surveyors
Society of American Military Engineers
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
The Conservation Foundation
The Morton Arboretum
The Wetlands Initiative
U.S. Green Building Council
University of Illinois Agricultural Engineering Advisory Committee
Water Environment Federation
Western Society of Engineers