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University of Illinois System News
Read the latest University of Illinois System news from the Office of External Relations and Communications.
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  • Man at work on a laptop with headphones on

    U of I System ends debt-related transcript holds

    Jul 7, 2022 11:45 am

    University of Illinois System universities have ended the practice of restricting access to transcripts for students with past-due balances.

    The old policy was a barrier for students as they sought transcripts to get jobs, transfer to other educational institutions or pursue advanced degrees. Withholding transcripts, he said, also disproportionately affected students from lower-income backgrounds.

  • Discovery Partners Institute building

    Discovery Partners Institute, UIC CHANCE expand Digital Scholars

    Jul 5, 2022 11:00 am

    The Discovery Partners Institute and University of Illinois Chicago (UIC’s) CHANCE program, in partnership with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, today announced the expansion of its Digital Scholars Program to support and develop promising and diverse tech talent in Illinois.

    Digital Scholars, now in its third year, is an intensive, free, five-week summer program for high school students and incoming UIC freshmen.

  • New U of I Trustee Joseph Gutman

    Governor appoints Gutman to U of I Board of Trustees

    Jun 27, 2022 12:15 pm

    Retired financial executive Joseph D. Gutman has been appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Gutman will fill the seat being vacated by Ricardo Estrada and, pending confirmation by the Illinois Senate, serve a term that runs through 2025.

  • IIN logo

    IIN awards seed grants to 8 new projects

    Jun 16, 2022 12:00 pm

    The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) on Thursday awarded nearly $240,000 in seed grants to eight research teams focused on projects that include using renewable technologies to design equitable STEM education programs, making construction materials from wastes and industrial byproducts, developing a game-like energy career exploration platform, and creating high-performance computing simulation tools for additive manufacturing.

  • aerial rendering of future DPI campus

    DPI’s IWERC awarded funding to expand research on Illinois education issues

    Jun 16, 2022 11:15 am

    The Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) at the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) has been awarded a total of $275,000 in funding from three organizations — CME Group Foundation, Joyce Foundation, and Crown Family Philanthropies —  that will expand IWERC’s research on Illinois education issues.

  • child kneeling on gym floor spitting into tube

    IDPH to offer free covidSHIELD tests for public schools for 2022-23 school year

    Jun 14, 2022 2:30 pm

    The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced a renewed agreement with SHIELD Illinois that offers every public school outside of Chicago the opportunity to use the University of Illinois System’s innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 testing platform at no cost for the 2022-23 school year. 

  • masked women in lab processing test

    SHIELD program a model for effective pandemic management, data show

    Jun 9, 2022 8:15 am

    A new paper in the journal Nature Communications details the innovations in modeling, saliva testing and results reporting of the SHIELD program that helped mitigate the spread of the virus at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the surrounding community.

    SHIELD has been deployed in schools and communities across the state through the U of I System's SHIELD Illinois unit, and around the world through the university-related organization Shield T3.

  • students walking on three campuses

    U of I System universities formalize partnerships with Hope Chicago

    Jun 7, 2022 10:15 am

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Chicago, and University of Illinois Springfield are among the 23 institutions that have formalized partnerships with Hope Chicago, the innovative two-generation scholarship program providing college and vocational scholarships to Chicago Public School students and their parents.

  • aerial rendering of future DPI campus

    DPI aims to diversify Chicago's tech sector

    Jun 7, 2022 10:00 am

    The U of I System-led Discovery Partners Institute's Pritzker Tech Talent Labs are a resource to help increase the diverse supply of tech talent for Chicago-area businesses. DPI Director Bill Jackson writes about why it is so important in an OpEd in Crain's Chicago Business.

  • The U of I System generates $19 billion a year for the state's economy

    U of I System impact: $19 billion annually on Illinois economy

    May 19, 2022 12:15 pm

    The University of Illinois System generates $19 billion a year for the state’s economy and supports more than 164,000 jobs, one of every 46 jobs in the state, according to the preliminary findings of a new study revealed Thursday by U of I System President Tim Killeen.

  • U of I seal

    U of I trustees appoint new chancellor at UIS

    May 19, 2022 11:00 am

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday appointed Janet. L. Gooch as the next chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield. Trustees also appointed University of Illinois Chicago Provost Javier Reyes as interim chancellor while a search is conducted to replace Chancellor Michael Amiridis.

  • Chicago skyline

    SHIELD Illinois opens two free COVID testing sites in Chicago

    May 17, 2022 3:00 pm

    SHIELD Illinois is opening two additional free community testing sites in Chicago this month, bringing its total number of locations statewide to 45. The sites will be located at Northeastern Illinois University’s locations in the Bronzeville and El Centro neighborhoods. These newly opened community sites increase access to COVID testing in underserved communities. 

  • Provost Javier Reyes poses on campus

    UIC Provost Javier Reyes will serve as interim chancellor

    Apr 29, 2022 11:00 am

    University of Illinois Chicago Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Javier Reyes will serve as interim chancellor of the university upon the departure of Chancellor Michael Amiridis, University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen said today.

  • silver seal of the university

    U of I System President Tim Killeen tests positive for COVID-19

    Apr 26, 2022 10:15 am

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 on Saturday and, following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is isolating at home in the President’s House at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • posed group photo at the Research Park

    NSF visits Urbana to announce two awards totaling more than $40 million

    Apr 25, 2022 12:00 pm

    The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign highlights a recent visit from the director of the National Science Foundation, and shares how federally funded research at our nation’s universities creates new companies, industries, opportunities, and jobs—and the tech-savvy, educated workforce needed to fill them. 

  • Illinois Capitol building

    State budget provides increase in U of I System appropriation

    Apr 12, 2022 4:15 pm

    The new state budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly and expected to be signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker will provide $655.2 million in general operating funds to the University of Illinois System for the coming fiscal year, as well as a $122 million increase for the Monetary Award Program (MAP), the state’s primary student financial aid program.

  • radio facilities at U of I circa 1925

    WILL celebrates 100 years in broadcasting

    Apr 8, 2022 12:15 pm

    One hundred years ago, on the evening of Thursday, April 6, 1922, the University of Illinois’ radio station went on the air for its first broadcast. WRM, the service that would become WILL Radio, was cutting-edge technology in 1922. 

  • Female speaking at podium in front of law class

    UIS partners with UIC Law to help students earn degree faster

    Apr 6, 2022 12:00 pm

    University of Illinois Springfield undergraduate students now have the opportunity to earn both their bachelor’s degree and a law degree in six years (compared to the typical seven years) thanks to a new agreement with the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.

  • UIC ARC building

    UIC chancellor search committee

    Apr 4, 2022 4:00 pm

    Dean Karen Colley has agreed to chair the committee that will advise Interim Executive Vice President Avijit Ghosh and President Tim Killeen in the search for the next chancellor of the University of Illinois Chicago.

  • Janet L. Gooch

    Janet L. Gooch named chancellor of University of Illinois Springfield

    Mar 22, 2022 11:00 am

    Janet L. Gooch, the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at Truman State University, an accomplished higher education leader and educator, has been named chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield and vice president for the University of Illinois System, pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees at its May 19 meeting.

  • U of I seal

    Trustees introduced to Access 2030 initiative

    Mar 17, 2022 11:30 am

    Plans for the University of Illinois System’s new Access 2030 initiative to increase the number of graduates from ethnic and racial minorities were introduced to the Board of Trustees at its regular meeting on Thursday.

  • U of I seal on iron gate

    Support for our students, faculty and staff

    Mar 3, 2022 10:45 am

    University of Illinois System leadership issued a massmail to students, faculty and staff today regarding the invasion of Ukraine.

  • Close up of test tubes in lab

    Inside the massive SHIELD Illinois testing operation

    Mar 2, 2022 10:15 am

    WTTW visited a school SHIELD Illinois testing site and one of the SHIELD Illinois labs recently to take a look inside the University of Illinois System's massive COVID-19 testing operation.

  • Chicago skyline with UIC campus in foreground

    UIC named top school in the Midwest for diversity, No. 6 in U.S.

    Feb 24, 2022 12:30 pm

    The University of Illinois at Chicago ranks highest in the Midwest for the diversity of its students and faculty in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. 

  • Roger Ebert gives thumbs up

    UIUC College of Media announces Center for Film Studies

    Feb 21, 2022 4:15 pm

    Thanks to gifts totaling more than $5 million from donors, the College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will launch the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies this year, with programming to begin in Fall 2022. 

  • UIC buildings

    UIC doctors develop app to detect perinatal depression in mothers of color

    Feb 21, 2022 4:00 pm

    An innovative app combines cutting edge technology, enhanced mental health outreach efforts and new opportunities to identify blood biomarkers for depression in an effort to help mothers of color from low-income communities identify, manage and treat perinatal depression at no cost.

  • state capitol building

    Budget proposal would provide needed investment in U of I System, students

    Feb 2, 2022 3:45 pm

    Under the fiscal year 2023 budget proposed today by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the state appropriation for the University of Illinois System would increase by $28 million over the current fiscal year. Additional one-time funding proposed by the governor would increase current-year funds by another $28 million. 

  • Rendering of future DPI district

    Shield T3 & DPI announce commercialization of COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

    Feb 1, 2022 8:00 am

    Shield T3 and the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) today announced a new service to state and local governments outside of Illinois: Testing COVID-19 and its variants in sewage.

  • campuses of UIUC, UIC, and UIS

    U of I System's three universities among nation's best in online programs

    Jan 26, 2022 2:15 pm

    Online programs at all three universities in the University of Illinois System are among the nation's best, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.

  • Illinois Innovation Network awards seed grants to 4 new projects

    Jan 21, 2022 1:00 pm

    The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) last week awarded $120,000 in seed grants to four research teams in its fourth round of funding. Selected projects include a new approach to improving community resilience against floods, growing the computational thinking and coding workforce in southeast Illinois, investigating the viability of geopolymer concrete as a sustainable construction material, and examining how Illinois can develop a sustainable and inclusive supply chain for the electric vehicle industry.

  • U of I seal

    Trustees set tuition rates for 2022-23 academic year

    Jan 20, 2022 8:00 am

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved modest tuition increases for in-state freshmen starting school next fall, only the second tuition increase in the past eight years.

  • Downtown Chicago

    SHIELD Illinois launches free testing site at DePaul's Loop Campus

    Jan 18, 2022 8:15 am

    SHIELD Illinois, the University of Illinois System’s in-state, non-profit COVID-testing unit, is partnering with DePaul University and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to launch a free community testing site at DePaul’s Loop Campus.

  • UIC campus and Michael Amiridis

    UIC Chancellor Amiridis named president of the University of South Carolina

    Jan 14, 2022 4:15 pm

    University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor Michael Amiridis has been named the next president of the University of South Carolina, effective July 1.

  • COVID-19 update with colorized seal of the university

    COVID-19 booster shot now required

    Jan 6, 2022 11:15 am

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen sent a massmail to students, faculty and staff today requiring COVID-19 booster shots for all when eligible.

  • U of I System and Hebrew University logos

    U of I System, Hebrew University launch second round of joint R&D teams

    Dec 22, 2021 8:15 am

    The University of Illinois System and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem recently awarded funding to four new interdisciplinary research teams that will drive innovation and advance collaboration between the universities. The projects are the second round of a joint research and innovation seed grant program that began in 2019.

  • future home of DPI

    DPI & CDPH system to monitor COVID-19 in Chicago wastewater extended

    Dec 21, 2021 12:00 pm

    The Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System, and the Chicago Department of Public Health have announced the citywide system to monitor the virus that causes COVID-19 and its variants in wastewater will continue for two years, leveraging $2.14 million in federal funding.

  • gloved hand and test tubes in lab

    CDC endorses Test to Stay strategy piloted by IDPH, SHIELD Illinois

    Dec 20, 2021 8:00 am

    A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report published today confirms that the Test to Stay program, created locally by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and operated by SHIELD Illinois, can help keep kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) students in the classroom. As a result of the report, the CDC endorsed Test to Stay as a useful strategy to be implemented in schools.

  • Killeen family with dogs in living room decorated for holidays

    The Joy of Togetherness

    Dec 14, 2021 3:30 pm

    In this 2021 holiday message, University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen and family celebrate the joy of family, togetherness, and hope for the new year.

  • compilation of students walking on three university campuses

    U of I System joins initiative to address inequities in access and success

    Dec 14, 2021 2:00 pm

    The University of Illinois System is part of The Power of Systems initiative with other leading university systems across the U.S. to address inequities in higher education access and success. The initiative is being led by the National Association of System Heades (NASH).

  • UIS campus and collonade

    Search underway for new UIS chancellor

    Dec 10, 2021 9:45 am

    The University of Illinois System is conducting a national search for the next permanent chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield. The chancellor also serves as a vice president of the U of I System.

  • President Tim Killeen portrait

    President Killeen touts the U of I System's innovation agenda

    Dec 6, 2021 4:00 pm

    President Tim Killeen recently spoke with CEO Magazine on the trajectory of the University of Illinois System, its innovation agenda, and its collective impact on economic vitality and the public good.

  • COVID-19 update with colorized seal of the university

    COVID-19 booster shot recommendation

    Dec 6, 2021 11:00 am

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen sent a massmail to students, faculty and staff today recommending COVID-19 booster shots for all when eligible.

  • Alma Mater, Chicago Skyline, Lincoln bust - university logos

    Trustees approve request for funds to improve access and affordability

    Nov 18, 2021 12:00 pm

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a request for increased state funding for the next fiscal year that would be used to continue improving access and affordability at its three universities, enhance student mental-health services and strengthen efforts to attract and retain world-class faculty.

  • commencement crowd of students, overhead view

    UIC a finalist for APLU 2021 Degree Completion Award

    Nov 2, 2021 1:45 pm

    The University of Illinois Chicago is one of three universities named finalists for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ 2021 Degree Completion Award. 

  • UIS campus and collonade

    UIS creates three new schools, adds degrees and minors

    Oct 12, 2021 1:45 pm

    The University of Illinois Springfield has created three new schools to better serve students and meet the needs of our Capital Region community, including the addition of new degrees and minors that are now open for enrollment. 

  • blue background, white text: together we are unstoppable

    U of I Foundation releases FY21 financial and endowment report

    Oct 1, 2021 10:15 am

    Today the University of Illinois System and the University of Illinois Foundation released fundraising information for Fiscal Year 2021. The Foundation reports $400.2 million for cash* and $446.0 million for new business—the second year running that both figures crossed the $400 million threshold.

  • U of I System logo with "Leadership State Tour 2021" and map in background

    U of I System President Killeen begins statewide tour

    Sep 30, 2021 1:30 pm

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen on Monday will begin a multiday tour of Illinois to meet with lawmakers, business and higher education leaders, alumni and others to learn more about the ways the system can contribute to economic growth and societal wellbeing, discuss the system’s commitment to the public, and strengthen connections and foster collaboration across the state.

  • Alma Mater, Chicago Skyline, Lincoln bust - university logos and Dr. Susan Bleasedale

    New video answers student vaccine questions

    Sep 27, 2021 1:00 pm

    Dr. Susan Bleasdale, chief quality officer for the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System and infectious disease specialist, answers questions from students across the U of I System about COVID-10 vaccines.

  • overhead view of UIS campus

    UIS Chancellor Search

    Sep 24, 2021 12:30 pm

    President Tim Killeen announced today that Dr. Beverly Bunch will chair the advisory committee for the search for the next permanent chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield.

  • U of I seal

    Trustees approve U of I System spending plan for 2021-22

    Sep 23, 2021 12:00 pm

    The University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a $7.18 billion budget for the academic year as well as the design of a new Library Learning and Student Success Center at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) and the purchase of a clinic that will expand health care access in two underserved Chicago neighborhoods.