March 2026
Meeting Announcement
Next Member Meeting - 4/13 @ 5:30
Presentation:
Data Center Liquid Pooling Panel
Location: Chicago Location - TBD
5:30AM-6:30PM: Networking and Food
6:30PM-7:30PM: Panel
7:30PM-8:30PM: Additional Networking
Click here to sign up.
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Become a Chapter Sponsor
BECOME AN ANNUAL CORPORATE SPONSOR NOW AND GET NOTICED.
The Illinois Chapter ASHRAE will host monthly meetings (and/or webinars during the current health crisis), educational, technical and social activities during the year. These events bring together hundreds from the Chicago area’s premier HVAC&R community — systems designers, consulting engineers, contractors, teachers, government officials, and manufacturers representatives. As a sponsor, your company will not only provide vital support for these activities but also help fund ongoing chapter-level scholarship and ASHRAE's research efforts aimed at advancing tomorrow’s HVAC&R engineers and technology. Sponsors receive exposure and special recognition on the chapter website, at events during the year and in communications received by members of ASHRAE’s largest chapter.
GET DETAILS AND ORDER SPONSORSHIP ONLINE NOW at: https://illinoisashrae.org/Sponsorship
For questions or information, please email [email protected] or call 708-636-5819 — or visit our Sponsor page to sign up online.
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Community Service
Rebuilding Day is April 25th! Illinois Ashrae will be volunteering to fix and repair homes to revitalize neighborhoods in Chicago. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Bill Cantrall - [email protected] or Cristian Gonzalez - [email protected]
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Other News
April 17th - WIA Boxing and Happy Hour event! Sign up Here!
May 7-9th - Region VI CRC in St. Louis
May 12th - Demystifying Desiccant Dehumidification
May 21st - WIA Happy Hour on the Riverwalk!
June - ASPE and ASHRAE Joint Social Event
June - ASHRAE Networking Event!
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ASHRAE History
ASHRAE Illinois Chapter – Historical Timeline
- ASHRAE Society Roots — The parent organization’s evolution from ASHVE in 1894 to ASHRAE in 1959 shaped how local chapters (like Illinois/Chicago) formed and grew.
- Illinois Chapter Significance — As the earliest chapter outside of the founding region, Chicago/Illinois played a foundational role in ASHVE/ASHRAE’s expansion across the U.S. and within the HVAC&R professional community.
1894 – Society Founding
September 10, 1894 – The American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (ASHVE) is founded in New York City, with the goal of advancing the arts and sciences of heating and ventilation. This organization eventually becomes part of today’s ASHRAE.
1906 – Early Illinois Chapter Formation
1906 – Members in Illinois are active in forming an early local group associated with ASHVE, making the Illinois/Chicago area one of the first centers for chapter activity outside New York.
1907 – Illinois Chapter Charter
December 1907 – The Illinois Chapter (precursor to the modern ASHRAE Illinois Chapter) is formally chartered; it becomes one of the oldest ASHVE/ASHRAE chapters and the oldest active chapter in the Society.
1959 – ASHRAE Formation
1959 – The American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHAE) and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers (ASRE) merge to form ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). The Illinois/Chicago chapter transitions accordingly.
1973 – Organizational Milestone
1973 – According to IRS records, the ASHRAE Illinois Chapter (as a nonprofit entity in Chicago) begins formal organizational and tax status reporting, reflecting expanded professional programming and outreach, even though the chapter’s technical and social activities date back decades earlier. (Cause IQ)
1994 – National Centennial
1994 – ASHRAE celebrates its 100-year anniversary nationwide. Chicago chapters and regions are highlighted in archival materials marking the Society’s centennial legacy (including preserved chapter documents).
2000s–2010s – Growth and Activities
Throughout these decades, the Chicago/Illinois Chapter continues monthly technical meetings, professional development seminars, regional events, student outreach, and scholarship support as part of its longstanding activities. (Illinois remains the largest ASHRAE chapter with well over 1,300 members by the 2020s.)
2020s – Local Leadership and Conferences
2023-2024 – The Illinois Chapter leadership includes modern presidents (e.g., Danielle Passaglia and others), showing continuity and active member engagement.
January 20-24, 2024 – ASHRAE Winter Conference held in Chicago: A major Society event focusing on decarbonization, climate issues, and technical programming with thousands of attendees, reflecting Chicago’s ongoing role as a hub for ASHRAE professional gatherings. (PHCPPros)
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