AIA Illinois
AIA Illinois is the nonprofit Illinois state chapter of the American Institute of Architects, founded in 1946 and representing 4,300+ architects statewide. It delivers advocacy, continuing education, networking events, and licensing collaboration in partnership with IDFPR.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersSpringfield, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What AIA Illinois does
AIA Illinois is the Illinois state component of the American Institute of Architects, founded in 1946 and headquartered at 201 E Adams St., Suite 1A, in Springfield, Illinois — deliberately located within eyesight of the Illinois Statehouse to support its advocacy mission. The nonprofit professional association represents more than 4,300 architect members across the state, from Cairo in the south to Chicago in the north, and operates within a chapter federation that includes AIA Chicago, AIA Northeast Illinois, AIA Eastern Illinois, and AIA Prairie. Its stated mission centers on advocacy for the profession, public-policy shaping, continuing education, leadership development, and recognition of design excellence, with Illinois notable for having enacted the nation's first Architecture Practice Act.
The organization's core offerings are services rather than technology products. These include nonpartisan advocacy (anchored by a decade-long campaign that produced a statewide rehabilitation tax credit in 2018), recurring education programs (Monday Noon Webinars, AIAspire Student Leadership Conference, EP Summit, Annual Conference & Honor Awards in Champaign), signature foundation initiatives (200 Great Places, Coloring Book), and licensing collaboration with IDFPR and the Illinois Architects Licensing Board. Distribution is primarily community- and event-led: members are acquired and renewed through AIA National, while reach across the state is built through chapter partnerships, allied industry organizations (Illinois Green Alliance, ASLA Illinois, CSI Chicago), and a tiered corporate sponsorship program (Ionic, Doric, and Allied partners including Holmes Murphy, Masonry Advisory Council, Musco Lighting, and Ameren Illinois).
AIA Illinois generates revenue from three streams: membership dues (recurring, processed via AIA National), corporate partnerships across the Ionic, Doric, and Allied tiers, and event registrations plus continuing education programs. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The 11–50 person staff is led by Executive Vice President Eric Klinner, CAE, with a 2026 board including President Megan Harte, AIA, and President-Elect/Treasurer Molly Rademacher, AIA. As a chapter of the nonprofit American Institute of Architects, the organization has no equity, venture, or public ownership.
AIA Illinois firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AIA Illinois
- Legal name
- AIA Illinois
- Website
- https://aiail.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AIA Illinois is the nonprofit Illinois state chapter of the American Institute of Architects, founded in 1946 and representing 4,300+ architects statewide. It delivers advocacy, continuing education, networking events, and licensing collaboration in partnership with IDFPR.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where AIA Illinois is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springfield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
AIA Illinois business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: AIA Illinois generates primary revenue through membership dues from its 4,300+ architect members across Illinois. Membership is managed through AIA National.
- Annual Partnerships: Corporate partnerships with Ionic, Doric, and Allied partners provide sponsorship revenue. Partners receive benefits including complimentary registration, booth space at events, and prominent marketing features.
- Event Registrations and Continuing Education: Revenue generated from event registrations including the Annual Conference, AIAspire, Monday Noon Webinars, and continuing education programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels10 records
AIA Illinois product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AIA Illinois is a non-profit professional membership association that represents more than 4,300 architects across Illinois. It delivers advocacy before state lawmakers, continuing education, leadership training, networking events, and recognition programs, while operating as the state component of the American Institute of Architects. Revenue is generated through membership dues administered via AIA National, tiered corporate partnerships, and event registrations.
Product overview
AIA Illinois operates as a professional membership association for architects, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy services, educational programs, awards, networking events, and community initiatives including the 200 Great Places and Coloring Book foundation programs. The organization hosts annual events including the AIAspire Student Leadership Conference, Annual Conference & Honor Awards, and Prairie Grassroots advocacy event. Educational offerings include Monday Noon Webinars and continuing education programs. These programs and services are provided through membership, event participation, and foundation initiatives rather than a software product or platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AIA Illinois Membership (via AIA National) Annual membership in the Illinois state component of the American Institute of Architects, providing architects across Illinois access to advocacy representation, continuing education, leadership training, networking, and member resources.
- Advocacy Services Nonpartisan advocacy for the architecture profession, including policy development, legislative partnerships, and initiatives such as the Architecture Practice Act and statewide rehabilitation tax credit.
- Annual Conference & Honor Awards Annual multi-day conference bringing together architects for education, networking, and the Honor Awards celebration, held at various venues across Illinois.
- AIAspire Student Leadership Conference Annual two-day student leadership conference introducing college students to diverse career paths in architecture, featuring portfolio reviews, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
- Prairie Grassroots Advocacy Event Annual advocacy event where member architects convene with state legislators at the Illinois State Capitol to discuss pressing architectural and community design issues.
- EP Summit (Emerging Professionals Summit) Annual education and networking summit for emerging architects and professionals organized through the Emerging Professionals Network.
- Monday Noon Webinars Weekly continuing education webinars covering technical topics such as fenestration solutions, roofing systems, moisture management, and enclosure design for architectural professionals.
- Resources & Educational Programs Member resource hub offering job opportunities, continuing education, leadership training, and educational programs for architects and emerging professionals across Illinois.
- Illinois Honor Awards for Design and Service Annual recognition program honoring outstanding architectural design and service contributions by Illinois architects.
- Annual Corporate Partnerships (Ionic, Doric, Allied) Tiered annual corporate partnership program offering complimentary event registration, booth space, and prominent marketing features to firms serving the architectural community in Illinois.
Quantifiable outcome
- Statewide rehabilitation tax credit achieved in 2018 after decade of advocacy
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use AIA Illinois
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AIA Illinois technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AIA Illinois partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
33 partnerships are on record, tiered ionic partner, doric partner and allied partner.
- Masonry Advisory Councilionic partnerMasonry Advisory Council is listed as an Ionic Partner, one of the top-tier annual partnerships offering complimentary registration and booth space at AIA Illinois events with prominent marketing features.
- Holmes Murphyionic partnerHolmes Murphy is an Ionic Partner offering insurance and risk management services to the architectural community, with benefits including event sponsorship and marketing exposure.
- WOARE'S INCdoric partnerListed as a Doric Partner receiving marketing benefits and booth space at AIA Illinois events and programs.
- Musco Lightingdoric partnerMusco Lighting is a Doric Partner specializing in sports and large-area lighting solutions, with event marketing and sponsorship benefits.
- EPIC Metalsdoric partnerDoric Partner providing architectural metal products with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Coldspringdoric partnerDoric Partner offering natural stone products for architectural applications with event sponsorship benefits.
- Henry Bros. Co.doric partnerDoric Partner with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events and programs.
- G&S Architectural Productsdoric partnerDoric Partner offering architectural products with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- J+J Flooringdoric partnerDoric Partner providing flooring solutions with event sponsorship benefits.
- Millies Engineering Groupdoric partnerDoric Partner offering engineering services with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Key Resindoric partnerDoric Partner providing resin flooring and coating solutions with event sponsorship benefits.
- Sierra Pacific Windowsdoric partnerDoric Partner offering windows and doors with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Life Safety Hardware Consultantsdoric partnerDoric Partner providing life safety hardware consulting with event sponsorship benefits.
- Henneman Engineeringdoric partnerDoric Partner offering engineering services with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Architectural Building Solutionsdoric partnerDoric Partner with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events and programs.
- Mohawk Groupdoric partnerDoric Partner providing commercial flooring solutions with event sponsorship benefits.
- Equitable Advisorsdoric partnerDoric Partner offering financial advisory services with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- ResourceOnedoric partnerDoric Partner providing office solutions with event sponsorship benefits.
- Ameren Illinoisdoric partnerDoric Partner representing utility services with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Brickworks Supply Centerdoric partnerDoric Partner providing brick and masonry supplies with event sponsorship benefits.
- Schaeffer Marketing Groupdoric partnerDoric Partner with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events and programs.
- Chamberlaindoric partnerChamberlain staffing and advisory services as a Doric Partner with event sponsorship benefits.
- Haworthdoric partnerDoric Partner offering commercial furniture and workspace solutions with marketing benefits.
- Kemper System America Inc.doric partnerDoric Partner providing waterproofing and roofing solutions with event sponsorship benefits.
- Basteel Perimeter Systemsdoric partnerDoric Partner offering perimeter systems with marketing benefits at AIA Illinois events.
- Marvindoric partnerMarvin windows and doors as a Doric Partner with event sponsorship benefits.
- AIA Chicagoallied partnerAIA Chicago is the local Chicago chapter and Allied Partner, representing architects in the Chicago metropolitan area.
- AIA Eastern Illinoisallied partnerAIA Eastern Illinois is an Allied Partner chapter representing architects in eastern Illinois.
- AIA Northeast Illinoisallied partnerAIA Northeast Illinois is an Allied Partner chapter covering the northeast region of the state.
- AIA Prairieallied partnerAIA Prairie is an Allied Partner chapter that transitioned to its own chapter status with support from AIA Illinois. The Prairie Chapter Executive Director role is managed by Mary Young.
- CSI Chicago Chapterallied partnerConstruction Specifications Institute Chicago Chapter is an Allied Partner collaborating on industry standards and specifications.
- Illinois Green Allianceallied partnerIllinois Green Alliance is an Allied Partner promoting sustainable design and green building practices in Illinois architecture.
- Illinois Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architectureallied partnerASLA Illinois Chapter is an Allied Partner representing landscape architects who collaborate with AIA Illinois on projects and initiatives.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
AIA Illinois competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AIA National (American Institute of Architects): The national umbrella organization for AIA Illinois and all state AIA chapters. Directly comparable as a professional membership association serving architects nationwide, with overlapping governance, shared membership administration, and aligned advocacy mission.
- Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA): National UK professional membership body for architects. Comparable as a larger incumbent architect association offering membership, continuing education, advocacy, and awards — though national in scope rather than state-level.
Direct peers
- AIA Chicago: Local AIA Chicago chapter and Allied Partner of AIA Illinois. A directly comparable professional membership association serving architects in a defined Illinois region, with overlapping member programs, advocacy efforts, and partnership structures.
- AIA New York: New York state chapter of the AIA, structurally identical to AIA Illinois as a state-level professional membership association for architects, with comparable advocacy, education, events, and partnership programs.
- AIA California: California state chapter of the AIA. Comparable as a large state-level professional membership association serving architects, with similar advocacy, continuing education, and partnership offerings at a comparable scale.
- AIA Northeast Illinois: Sub-state Allied Partner chapter of AIA Illinois covering northeast Illinois. Directly comparable in mission and member services as a regional professional architecture association.
- American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) — Illinois Chapter: Illinois state chapter of ASLA and Allied Partner of AIA Illinois. Comparable as a state-level professional membership association serving design professionals (landscape architects), with similar advocacy, education, and event-based member engagement.
- Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) — Chicago Chapter: CSI's Chicago chapter is an Allied Partner of AIA Illinois. Comparable as a professional association serving the design and construction industry with certification, education, and member engagement programs.
- Illinois Green Alliance: USGBC's Illinois chapter and Allied Partner of AIA Illinois. Comparable as a professional/industry association promoting sustainable design with member programs, education, and advocacy in Illinois.
Others
- National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB): National organization that supports state architectural licensing boards. Comparable in adjacent regulatory role to AIA Illinois' collaboration with IDFPR and the Illinois Architects Licensing Board, though focused on licensure rather than membership services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
AIA Illinois social profiles
Digital presenceAIA Illinois financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AIA Illinois leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
AIA Illinois funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AIA Illinois M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AIA Illinois
What does AIA Illinois do?
AIA Illinois is a non-profit professional membership association that represents more than 4,300 architects across Illinois. It delivers advocacy before state lawmakers, continuing education, leadership training, networking events, and recognition programs, while operating as the state component of the American Institute of Architects. Revenue is generated through membership dues administered via AIA National, tiered corporate partnerships, and event registrations.
Is AIA Illinois a public or private company?
AIA Illinois is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was AIA Illinois founded?
AIA Illinois was founded in 1946. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AIA Illinois based?
AIA Illinois is headquartered in Springfield, United States, in the North America region.
How does AIA Illinois make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are annual Partnerships and event Registrations and Continuing Education.
Who are AIA Illinois's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AIA National (American Institute of Architects) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Direct peers are AIA Chicago, AIA New York, AIA California, AIA Northeast Illinois, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) — Illinois Chapter, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) — Chicago Chapter and Illinois Green Alliance. National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) is listed as an others.
Does AIA Illinois have an API?
No public API is recorded for AIA Illinois.