Wednesday was the 26th Annual CME Group Center for Innovation Awards for Student Achievement. Sixty-five students received a $1,000 achievement award.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel praised the students.
"The No. 1 reason people either don't go to college or drop out after having gone only one year is financial, and to have help in the slightest of ways easing that pathway to a college education to a future you will be not just better off, but all of us will be better off because you went to school," said Mayor Emanuel.
CME Group's achievement award program has provided more than $900,000 to students since 1986.
