Christopher B. Burke Engineering - Chicagoland

What Christopher B. Burke Engineering - Chicagoland does

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) is a privately held, multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm founded in 1986 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, with additional offices in Chicago, Lockport, Des Plaines, and Evanston. The firm delivers integrated engineering and surveying services across 15 service disciplines, including civil design, construction engineering, design/build, development engineering, drainage engineering, environmental resources, landscape architecture, mechanical/electrical engineering, Phase I and Phase II engineering, renewable energy, structural design, surveying, traffic operations, and water resources engineering. Project work spans planning, environmental assessment, design, permitting, grant assistance, and Phase III construction engineering for roadways, stormwater systems, water infrastructure, bridges, pump stations, and bike/pedestrian facilities.

CBBEL's customer base is concentrated in the Illinois public sector, including municipalities (Villages of Algonquin, Lombard, Libertyville, Wilmette, Mount Prospect, New Lenox, Tinley Park, Lincolnwood, Shorewood, and others), county-level agencies such as the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Tollway, and the City of Chicago, with private developer work accounting for a smaller share. Revenue is generated through fee-based professional services engagements acquired via RFP/RFQ procurement, qualifications-based selection, and direct client relationships, with project sizes ranging from small studies to multi-phase, multi-year programs evidenced by contract values of $95M (Addison Creek Reservoir), $54M (Wilmette West Side), $48.9M (Orland Park 143rd Street), $17.1M (Libertyville Nicholas Dowden Park), and $15M (Lombard large-diameter sewer rehabilitation).

The firm operates a wholly-owned subsidiary, CBBEL Energy, which is licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission to broker electricity for public-sector and private accounts consuming 15,000 kWh or more, providing an adjacent revenue stream that monetizes parent-firm client relationships. The professional staff of more than 265 includes 100+ licensed professional engineers, 3 PhDs, and a deep bench of certified floodplain, erosion, and stormwater specialists, supporting differentiated techniques such as large-diameter trenchless sewer rehabilitation with geopolymer spray technology and novel embankment stabilization methods. The firm has accumulated more than 40 industry awards from APWA, ACEC-IL, and ASCE-IL between 2021 and 2026.

Name

Christopher B. Burke Engineering - Chicagoland

Legal name

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd.

Website

https://cbbel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Christopher B. Burke Engineering, Ltd. (CBBEL) is a privately held multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm founded in 1986, delivering integrated civil, environmental, transportation, water resources, structural, and construction engineering services to Illinois municipal, county, and state public-sector clients across five Chicagoland offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Engineering Consulting Services: CBBEL generates revenue through fee-based engineering consulting engagements across civil, environmental, water resources, structural, traffic, and construction engineering. Projects are billed on a fee basis, with contracts ranging from small phase-specific studies to multi-phase, multi-year infrastructure programs. Revenue is project-based and non-recurring per client engagement, though long-term client relationships generate ongoing project pipelines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CBBEL is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering and surveying firm serving municipal, county, state, and private clients across Illinois. It delivers integrated civil, water resources, environmental, transportation, structural, and construction engineering services on a fee basis, spanning projects from planning and permitting through final design and construction.

Product overview

CBBEL is a multidisciplinary consulting engineering firm offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional engineering and surveying services rather than a unified software product. The firm operates 15 distinct service departments including Civil Design, Construction Engineering, Design/Build, Development Engineering, Drainage Engineering, Environmental Resources, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Phase I/II Engineering, Renewable Energy, Structural Design, Surveying, Traffic Operations, and Water Resources Engineering. Additionally, CBBEL Energy operates as a separate licensed entity for electricity procurement services. These services are delivered through integrated project teams rather than a modular software platform, with projects spanning roadway and transportation improvements, stormwater management, water infrastructure, environmental restoration, and municipal developments throughout Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CBBEL Energy: CBBEL Energy, licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, engages with public sector and private businesses (15,000 kWh or larger) on the purchase of electricity at competitive rates.

Products and services

• Civil Design Engineering Prepares plans, specifications, and cost estimates for roadways, bikeways, pedestrian facilities, utilities, parks, streetscapes, and site improvements for public and private clients.
• Construction Engineering Provides contract administration, construction observation, utility coordination, and permitting support during the construction phase of infrastructure projects.
• Design/Build Integrated project delivery through Burke, LLC Design/Build, combining design and construction under a single team for streamlined project schedules.
• Development Engineering Provides technical review, inspection, and coordination services for private development projects from concept through final acceptance.
• Drainage Engineering Designs storm sewer systems, detention facilities, pump stations, and water quality best management practices meeting regulatory requirements.
• Environmental Resources Provides assessment, permitting, mitigation, and restoration services for wetlands, waterways, erosion control, and environmental compliance.
• Landscape Architecture Designs streetscapes, parks, open spaces, gateway features, community gathering areas, and green infrastructure improvements.
• Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Designs pumping systems, power distribution, lighting, controls, and energy systems for water, wastewater, transportation, and municipal facilities.
• Phase I Engineering Conducts preliminary engineering and environmental studies including traffic analysis, safety evaluation, environmental studies, and public involvement.
• Phase II Engineering Transforms approved concepts into detailed, buildable designs for roadway, highway, and multi-use path projects including PS&E preparation.
• Renewable Energy Provides environmental assessments, permitting, and engineering services for renewable energy projects including solar and wind developments.
• Structural Design Designs and evaluates structures including bridges, retaining walls, pump stations, and buildings, with inspection and assessment services.
• Surveying Provides boundary and topographic surveys, ALTA/NSPS land title surveys, construction staking, GPS/GIS services including LiDAR, and legal descriptions.
• Traffic Operations Analyzes traffic performance, designs signal systems, and develops operational improvements for roadways and intersections.
• Water Resources Engineering Conducts hydraulic and hydrologic studies, supports floodplain management, and designs stormwater and flood control projects.
• CBBEL Energy Wholly owned subsidiary licensed by the Illinois Commerce Commission that engages public sector and private businesses (15,000 kWh or larger) on the purchase of electricity at competitive rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 45% decrease in total delay and 30% decrease in evening rush hour travel time achieved through Rand/Central/Mount Prospect Intersection Improvements
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Vortex Lining Systems LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 6 March 2026Vortex Lining Systems LLC served as one of multiple contractors on the Village of Lombard's Large-Diameter Combined Sewer Lining Project, which won a Special Achievement Award from ACEC-IL. CBBEL acted as the consulting engineer on this project.
• Seeco Consultants Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 6 March 2026Seeco Consultants Inc. was one of the contractors engaged on the Village of Lombard Large-Diameter Combined Sewer Lining Project, a collaborative effort coordinated by CBBEL as the consulting engineer.
• Glenbard Wastewater AuthoritycoreOthersGlenbard Wastewater Authority collaborated on the Village of Lombard Large-Diameter Combined Sewer Rehabilitation Project. The Authority operates the treatment facility to which the rehabilitated sewer outfalls. CBBEL coordinated extensively with the Authority throughout the project. CBBEL also coordinated with the Authority on Addison Creek Reservoir project and Addison Creek restoration projects.
• Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)coreOthersIllinois EPA was involved in the Village of Lombard Large-Diameter Combined Sewer Rehabilitation Project, which included securing permits and State Revolving Fund (SRF) low-interest loan paperwork assistance. IEPA oversees environmental regulatory compliance across Illinois.
• Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-presented with CBBEL at the City of Warsaw stormwater management workshop alongside PermiTrack, serving as an industry association partner in the educational workshop format.
• Spaceco, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaceco, Inc. collaborated with CBBEL on the FedEx Distribution Center Embankment Restoration Project to develop a novel solution using Kyowa Filter Unit Bags for embankment stabilization. This was a joint engineering innovation effort combining CBBEL's design expertise with Spaceco's technical execution capability.
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRDGC)coreOthersMWRDGC is a long-term strategic partner on multiple major flood control projects. CBBEL has worked with MWRDGC for more than five years on the Addison Creek Reservoir ($95 million) and continues to collaborate on Addison Creek restoration projects. MWRDGC also provided Green Infrastructure grant funding for the Lake Katherine Cal-Sag Trailhead project.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stantec: Global engineering, architecture, and consulting firm with major water, community development, and infrastructure practices — competes with CBBEL on large municipal and transportation engagements in the Midwest.
• Kimley-Horn: One of the largest privately held U.S. engineering consulting firms, with broad services across transportation, water, environmental, and land development — competes with CBBEL on Illinois public infrastructure pursuits and represents the scaled private peer benchmark.
• HDR Inc. Global engineering, architecture, and environmental services firm with deep transportation, water, and stormwater practices — competes with CBBEL on larger Illinois projects such as IDOT and Illinois Tollway pursuits.
• Tetra Tech: Global consulting and engineering firm specializing in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure — directly comparable to CBBEL's water resources, environmental, and stormwater practice areas at much greater scale.
• Burns & McDonnell: 100% employee-owned engineering, architecture, and construction firm serving critical infrastructure clients including water, transportation, and environmental — comparable to CBBEL's integrated municipal delivery and similar employee-owned structure.

Direct peers

• Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers: Mid-sized Illinois-based civil engineering consulting firm serving municipalities, counties, and private developers across the Midwest with water resources, transportation, and municipal infrastructure services — directly comparable to CBBEL in scale, geography, and service mix.
• Clark Dietz: Illinois-headquartered civil/environmental engineering firm providing water, wastewater, transportation, and structural engineering to public-sector clients — directly comparable to CBBEL's Illinois-centric, multidisciplinary municipal engineering focus.
• Wight & Company: Illinois design and engineering firm offering civil, structural, transportation, and MEP engineering plus architecture — comparable to CBBEL in size and Chicagoland-focused public-sector infrastructure delivery.
• RHMG Engineers: Mid-sized Chicago-area civil and municipal engineering firm serving suburban Cook County and surrounding communities — directly comparable in size, geographic focus, and municipal client base to CBBEL.
• V3 Companies: Illinois-based engineering, planning, and landscape architecture firm with water resources, transportation, and municipal infrastructure practices — directly comparable in Midwest municipal engineering focus and scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/burkengineering
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/christopher-b--burke-engineering-ltd-
• Instagraminstagram.com/cbbelengineers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Christopher B. Burke Engineering - Chicagoland