ChemLuminary Awards
ChemLuminary Awards recognize local sections, technical divisions, regional meetings, and international chemical sciences chapters for their tireless efforts and work in promoting chemistry and the chemical sciences. They are annual awards sponsored by ACS and its governance committees at the national level. See more about them, including lists of all recipients and videos of award ceremonies at ACS.org.
2018
ACS President’s Award for Local Section Government Affairs
The Chicago local section collaborated with the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois in a state advocacy workshop followed by legislator meetings. Local section members also observed an Illinois Senate session to learn legislative procedures.
Most Innovative New Activity or Program
The Chicago Section preserves a large archive of photos dating back almost 125 years. However, most photos bear no information about the individuals or events pictured. To gain more insight, the section engaged in a crowdsourcing exercise by posting photos galleries online and in a reoccurring newsletter column titled “Who is this?” As subjects are identified, facial recognition algorithms are applied to automatically propagate information across other photos in the archive.
2017
Outstanding Involvement in Chemists Celebrate Earth Day
Sponsored by ACS' Committee on Community Activities. "The Chicago Local Section helped shape and participated in one of the largest March for Science satellite rallies and hosted a table in the post-March exposition. Hundreds of people interacted with the Chicago Local Section through their “ask a chemist” station, viewing which the chemistry companies were closest to their homes, and receiving Chemists Celebrate Earth Day and other outreach materials."
2016
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section - Very Large Size
Sponsored by ACS Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC). "The Chicago Local Section addressed distance and rush hour obstacles to meeting attendance by live streaming monthly programs to two additional sites thanks to Innovative Project Grant funding. Box lunches have also replaced more expensive traditional dinner meetings."
ACS President's Award for Local Section Government Affairs
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs (CCPA). "The Chicago Local Section coordinated a multi-event program exploring the chemistry of municipal water systems. Three events attracted 230 attendees, and communicated chemistry’s role in addressing the world’s challenges to the public and policymakers."
2015
Best Overall Women Chemists Committee - Local Section
Sponsored by ACS Women Chemists Committee (WCC). "Chicago hosted numerous activities which included a nontraditional career forum, an American Association of University Women $tart $mart Workshop about negotiating salaries, a mentoring event, and a Mix & Mingle held with Iota Sigma Pi featuring a chemistry-based, Jeopardy-style game."
ACS President's Award for Local Section Government Affairs
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs (CCPA). "Chicago worked with U.S. Senator Mark Kirk to ensure support for science education in the Every Student Succeeds Act, which led to legislation funding professional development for STEM teachers, an ACS priority."
2013
ACS President's Award for Local Section Government Affairs
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Chemistry and Public Affairs (CCPA). "A meeting with Congressman Danny Davis was held to present the congressman with key ACS positions on STEM education, research funding, and Helium legislation. The meeting also engaged the Section in the Altgeld Gardens Revitalization Project, a “Big Ideas” Program to revitalize an impoverished community on Chicago's Southside."
2011
Best New Public Relations Program of a Local Section
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications
Outstanding Collaboration Between a Local Section and a Division
Co-Sponsored by ACS Divisional Activites Committee and Local Section Activities Committee
Outstanding Local Section Younger Chemists Committee
Sponsored by ACS Younger Chemists Committee
Best Women Chemists Committee Program for International Year of Chemistry
Sponsored by ACS Women Chemists Committee
2009
Outstanding Performance by a Local Section - Very Large Size
Sponsored by ACS Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC)
2008
Outstanding Continuing Public Relations Program of a Local Section
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC)
2003
Outstanding Preformance by a Local Section - Very Large Size
Sponsored by ACS Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC)
Local Section / Division Interaction Award (joint with Division on Professional Relations)
Co-Sponsored by ACS Divisional Activites Committee (DAC) and Local Section Activities Committee (LSAC)
2002
Best Overall Local Section Committee on Minority Affairs
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Minority Affairs (CMA)
1998
National Chemistry Week - Best Activity With Underrepresented Minority Groups
1994
Outstanding Public Relations Program
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC)
1992
Outstanding Public Relations Program
Sponsored by ACS Committee on Public Relations and Communications (CPRC)
Phoenix Award - Best Activity with High Schools
