The University of Illinois System leadership team will travel throughout Illinois this week to learn more about the needs and priorities of communities and organizations across the state, building on longstanding relationships and forging new connections as part of the “Invested in Illinois” tour.

Stops on this sixth annual U of I System leadership tour will allow system leaders to engage with existing partners and make new connections with counterparts in industry, education, health care and government, learning more about regional challenges and opportunities. U of I System President Tim Killeen and the chancellors of the three system universities will also discuss how the system can help advance economic growth, educational attainment, workforce development, health and well-being, and other shared priorities.

The leadership team will also meet with students to emphasize the possibilities a college education can provide and ongoing efforts to keep U of I System universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield both accessible and affordable.

“These state tours are vital in sustaining and building upon our partnerships in communities throughout the state. Every year we learn about new ways we can serve the people of this state,” Killeen said. “We have made tremendous inroads on a number of levels — not only in building awareness of the educational opportunities at our universities but also in identifying and acting upon new and innovative means of fueling the state economy by working closely with leaders from across sectors and communities.”

Since the annual state tours began in 2021, U of I System leaders have visited classrooms, businesses, farms and community centers across the state, developing connections with K-12 educators, community college leaders, business owners, elected officials and others that help pinpoint shared opportunities and inform system decision-making.

System leaders have also met with hundreds of high school and community college students throughout Illinois during the tours, highlighting the availability of financial aid, free tuition programs for eligible students, and the U of I System’s emphasis on accessibility for students from Illinois. About 80% of all U of I System undergraduates are from the state.

This will be the final state tour for Killeen, who has announced that he will step down on June 30 at the conclusion of his current contract. He became the 20th president of the U of I System in 2015 and began the annual state tours to help U of I System leadership better connect with people and communities across Illinois.