About the CPL Foundation Awards

These awards are presented annually by the Chicago Public Library Foundation in partnership with Chicago Public Library. Proceeds from the annual awards dinner support innovative and life-enriching programs at the Chicago Public Library.

The Carl Sandburg Literary Award honors an author whose significant body of work has enhanced the public's awareness of the written word.

The 21st Century Award honors an early-career author with ties to Chicago.

The Arts Award celebrates the power and impact of Chicago’s artistic community.

The Civic Award celebrates the leaders whose work significantly contributes to the strength and vitality of our great city.

Award Winners

2023

• Colson Whitehead (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Rebecca Makkai (21st Century Award)
• Richard Hunt (Arts Award)
• Bob Wislow (Civic Award)

2022

• Tony Kushner (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Shermann "Dilla" Thomas (21st Century Award)
• Rick Bayless (Arts Award)

2021

• Amy Tan (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• J. Nicole Brooks (21st Century Award)
• Theaster Gates (Arts Award)

2020

• Isabel Wilkerson (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Nate Marshall (21st Century Award)
• Donna LaPietra (Civic Award)

2019

• George R.R. Martin (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Eve Ewing (21st Century Award)

2018

• Judy Blume (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Neil deGrasse Tyson (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Erika L. Sanchez (21st Century Award)

2017

• Margaret Atwood (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Dave Eggers (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Natalie Y. Moore (21st Century Award)

2016

• Alice Walker (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Fiction)
• Scott Turow (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Fiction)
• Erik Larson (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Nonfiction)
• Amina Gautier (21st Century Award)

2015

• Stephen Sondheim (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Eric Charles May (21st Century Award)

2014

• Larry McMurtry (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Fiction)
• Doris Kearns Goodwin (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Nonfiction)
• Veronica Roth (21st Century Award)
• Mavis Staples (Carl Sandburg Award in the Arts)

2013

• Isabel Allende (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Fiction)
• Michael Lewis (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Nonfiction)
• Christine Sneed  (21st Century Award)

2012

• Don DeLillo (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Fiction)
• Walter Isaacson (Carl Sandburg Literary Award - Nonfiction)
• Nami Mun (21st Century Award)

2011

• Roger Ebert (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Rebecca Skloot (21st Century Award)

2010

• Toni Morrison (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Eula Biss (21st Century Award)

2009

• Salman Rushdie (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Patrick Somerville (21st Century Award)

2008

• Tom Wolfe (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Theresa Schwegel (21st Century Award)

2007

• Nikki Giovanni (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Sara Gruen (21st Century Award)

2006

• David Mamet (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Blue Balliett (21st Century Award)

2005

• John Updike (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Tracy Letts (21st Century Award)

2004

• Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Audrey Niffenegger (21st Century Award)

2003

• Robert A. Caro (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Elizabeth Crane (21st Century Award)

2002

• Joyce Carol Oates (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Richard Cohen (21st Century Award)

2001

• Kurt Vonnegut (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Jeffery Renard Allen (21st Century Award)

2000

• David McCullough (Carl Sandburg Literary Award)
• Aleksandar Hemon (21st Century Award)