The ILA Special Recognition Award Winners are individuals and/or organizations who have performed outstanding service to the ILA for an extended period of time, or have provided unusual service to the promotion of listening.

* Lyman "Manny" and Dee Steil (2011)
* Donna Renaud, Richard Halley, Susan Timm, CLP Program (2010)
* Alverno College of Milwaukee, StoryCorps created (2009)
* The University of Maryland University College (2008).
* Rockhurst University, Volker Bernius, Mechthild Hagen, Ludowika Huber (2007)
* Edie Cole, Sandy Stein, Margarete Imhof (2006)
* Thomas L. Friedman (2005)
* Kimberly Batty-Herbert (2003 Recipient)
* Joseph and Anne McGee (2003 Recipient)
* Ball State University
* Daisy Bates
* Robert Bohlken
* Alan Brunacini, Phoenix Fire Chief
* Carolyn Coakley Hickerson
* Harry Cook
* Michael Cronin
* Lisa Vickers Darnell
* Fortune Magazine
* James Gallagher
* Ethen Glenn
* Dee Steil
* Carole Grau
* Green Bay Online
* Hallmark Cards
* International Paper
* Listen, Inc.
* Nadine Marsnik
* Hannah Merker
* The Mideast Citizen's Diplomacy Compassionate Listening Project
* Lucile Nichols
* Barbara Nixon
* Kenneth Paulin
* Richard Quianthy
* Steve Rhodes
* Diana Corley Schnapp
* ShopKo Stores, Inc.
* Sperry Corporation
* Charles Swanson
* Telstar
* Kathy Thompson
* Harvey Weiss
* Wisconsin Public Radio
* Mary Wise
* Peter van der Shaft