DuPagePads Named One of the Top 100 Finalists for the 24th Annual Chicago Innovation Awards

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Out of 315 nominees, DuPagePads of Wheaton has been selected as one of the Top 100 Finalists still in the running for the 24th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. The awards celebrate the most innovative new products and services in the Chicago region across all organization sizes, sectors and industries. Over 700 business and civic leaders will come together to honor the winners when they are announced on November 13th at the UIC Forum.

Founded in 1985 as an emergency response to growing homelessness, DuPagePads has evolved from rotating, church-based overnight shelters into a nationally recognized leader providing year-round housing solutions. In 2022, DuPagePads opened its Interim Housing Center (IHC)—the county’s first 24/7 emergency shelter—creating consistent access to safe housing, nutritious meals and onsite support services for families and individuals. Today, DuPagePads operates a continuum of care that includes the IHC, a network of 136 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units, Rapid Rehousing and Medical Respite programs, serving more than 1,200 guests annually.

“Chicago continues to rise as a global hub of innovation that cuts across industries, large corporations and startups, for-profits and non-profits,” said Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation. “The impact that this year’s nominees generated is profound – their new products and services generated $4.2 billion in revenues and created over 2,300 new jobs.”

As one of the Top 100 Finalists, DuPagePads will receive a $2,500 scholarship to attend The Practical Innovator, a day-long executive education course on October 14th led by top faculty who teach innovation at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Each of the Top 100 Finalists is also in the running for the annual “People’s Choice Award,” selected through online balloting at https://chicagoinnovationawards.com/nominations/.

Out of the Top 100 Finalists, the judges will select 20 winners of the Chicago Innovation Awards. In addition to being celebrated at the Chicago Innovation Awards on November 13th, the winners will be invited to ring the Nasdaq Bell in New York City and receive widespread media recognition.