• Our Story

  • Our Story

    Building on Where We've Been

    From a one-person operation to a growing civil engineering firm, CKL Engineers has continued to evolve alongside the infrastructure and communities we serve.

    2009

    CKL Engineers Is Founded

    CKL Engineers is first incorporated in the State of Illinois. Founder Mae Whiteside Williams starts CKL as a one-person operation focused on construction documentation work.

    One person. One vision. A foundation for what's ahead.
    2012

    Our First Major Transportation Project

    CKL is selected as a subcontractor for the South Lake Shore Drive extension on Chicago's South Side. The project represents CKL's first opportunity to contribute to transportation infrastructure at this scale.

    The project helped improve transportation connections across the South Side and provided new access to the former U.S. Steel site.

    Today, the former U.S. Steel site is being transformed into the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park.
    2016

    First IDOT Prime Contract

    CKL Engineers wins its first contract as a prime consultant with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). This milestone marks an important step in CKL's growth and establishes a foundation for future IDOT work.

    From subcontractor to prime consultant.
    2020

    Adapting to a Changing World

    CKL Engineers adapts to a rapidly changing work environment by becoming a hybrid-first civil engineering firm.

    Embracing flexibility, technology, and new ways of working.
    2021

    First Illinois Tollway Prime Contract

    CKL Engineers wins its first contract as a prime consultant with the Illinois Tollway, expanding the firm's presence within the region's transportation infrastructure network.

    Another major step forward in CKL's growth.
    2025

    Expanding Our Marketing Capabilities

    CKL Engineers expands its marketing capabilities, strengthening how the firm communicates its expertise, projects, people, and vision to clients and communities.

    Growing the CKL brand alongside the firm.
    2026

    DBE Recertification

    CKL Engineers is recertified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firm following adjustments to the DBE program. The milestone reinforces CKL's continued participation in transportation infrastructure opportunities across the region.

    Looking ahead with Vision 2026.

  • Beginning as the dream of one enterprising aviation inspector in 2007, CKL Engineers is now a strong civil engineering firm built to last, just like the infrastructure we've built.

  • Timeline (old placeholder)

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    2009

    In 2009, CKL Engineers was first incorporated in the State of Illinois. Mae Whiteside Williams started CKL as a one-person operation doing construction documentation work.

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    2012

    CKL Engineers was chosen to work on the U.S. Route 41 extension on Chicago's South Side as a subcontractor, providing documentation support. This was our first project of this scale, creating new transit infrastructure, including a bus turnaround on the northern end, improving commute times across the South Side, and helping set up the former U.S. Steel site for future redevelopment. Today, that site is currently being transformed into a quantum computing campus, which U.S. Route 41 will help enable quick and efficient access to.

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    2016

    CKL Engineers won its first contract as prime with IDOT in 2016, and won again in 2020.

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    2021

    CKL Engineers won its first contract as prime with the Illinois Tollway in 2021.

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