CCBJ Recognizes CIS for leading the implementation of Cook County Climate Resilience Program
San Diego, Calif. (February 2026) — CIS is proud to announce that it has received the 2025 Business Achievement Award from the Climate Change Business Journal (CCBJ), an independent publication that has provided strategic market intelligence to the climate change and environmental industries since 1988.
According to Grant Ferrier, editor of Climate Change Business Journal and chair of the CCBJ Business Achievement Award selection committee, 2025 marked another year of strong growth and innovation across the climate change sector. With continued momentum in the energy transition and sustained investment in climate resilience, service and technology firms distinguished themselves by advancing practical, scalable solutions in rapidly evolving market segments.
CIS was recognized for leading Cook County, Illinois’ Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Program, a $14 million initiative funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and delivered in partnership with the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability. The program supports climate adaptation infrastructure improvements in five Greater Chicago municipalities—Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynwood, and Markham—selected due to historic disinvestment and elevated climate vulnerability. Building on previously completed resiliency plans, the current phase focuses on implementation and construction.
Representative projects include green stormwater infrastructure improvements along Grand Avenue in Franklin Park to reduce runoff, enhance pedestrian safety, and improve streetscape conditions, as well as the development of a climate-resilient park in Markham that transforms vacant land into community amenities while mitigating heat and flooding risks.
The initiative is being delivered through CIS’s Community-Based Partnership (CBP) model, which emphasizes workforce development, expansion of the regional contractor base, and local hiring. By prioritizing businesses in economically disadvantaged communities, the program is designed to generate long-term socioeconomic benefits alongside critical infrastructure upgrades.
“Over a 24-month period, CIS is advancing approximately 17 projects from concept design through construction,” said Sanjiv Sinha, P.E., Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of CIS. “These efforts address flooding and stormwater impacts, rehabilitate sanitary and combined sewer systems, expand green stormwater infrastructure, strengthen tree canopy protections, and modernize key drainage assets. We are proud to help deliver infrastructure solutions that meet regulatory requirements while also fostering sustainable economic growth across the region.”
The 2025 awards will be presented in person at the Environmental Industry Summit XXIV, taking place April 1–3, 2026, in San Diego. The event will also honor recipients of related Business Achievement, Lifetime Achievement, and 50-Year Company Anniversary awards.
About CIS
CIS is a national leader in the development and implementation of public infrastructure solutions with a focus on improving the environmental, economic, and social condition of our nation’s infrastructure through solutions that drive local economic inclusion and equity, reduction of public risk, and increased community investment and buy-in. CIS also offers related advisory/research expertise and services on topics including nature-based solutions, climate resilience, disaster prevention, environmental finance, water affordability, and public trust.
Visit: www.cisolutions.com
About CCBJ
Climate Change Business Journal has been published since 2008 by Environmental Business International Inc., an independent research and publishing company focused on the environmental and climate change industries. EBI has published Environmental Business Journal since 1988.
Visit: Climate Change Business Journal ® – Market Intelligence and Analysis