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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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  • posed executives

    National Taiwan University joins Discovery Partners Institute

    National Taiwan University, the country’s most comprehensive and prestigious university, has signed an agreement to partner in the growing Discovery Partners Institute, a world-class education and research center led by the University of Illinois System.

  • Guiding Principles

    U of I System releases second set of Guiding Principles

    The University of Illinois System released a second set of Guiding Principles Friday, clearly spelling out its position on more of the core values that defined its past and will shape its future.

  • University of Illinois System statement regarding WUIS request for Title IX exemption

    Freedom of the press is literally a cornerstone of our nation, a principle so fundamental that it is enshrined in the First Amendment. Across the University of Illinois System, we deeply value the watchdog function that a free press provides. Recently, we received a well-intentioned request from WUIS to exempt its staff from Title IX-mandated reporting requirements involving sexual misconduct. But the request is in potential conflict with another core principle we value – the safety of our campuses, our students, and our faculty and staff. 

  • U of I System seeks increase in state funding

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a request for increased state funding for the next fiscal year to continue building on educational and affordability initiatives that help drive the state’s economy and have pushed enrollment across the three-university system to an all-time high of over 89,000.

  • U of I trustees approve sexual misconduct prevention measures

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a series of recommendations by a system-wide task force that spent the last year developing a holistic approach to prevent sexual misconduct and foster a culture that ensures safety, learning and success.

  • DPI rendering

    It's full speed ahead as DPI continues to take shape

    Discovery Partners Institute continues to move forward: holding classes, funding faculty research projects and ramping up staff. A detailed 2-, 5- and 10-year business plan and economic impact analysis is nearly complete.

  • Tim and Roberta Killeen at home

    The simple delights of the season

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen and Dr. Roberta Johnson Killeen reflect on the simple delights of the holiday season, with the help of some friends, in this year's holiday video.

  • Illini Union and quad

    Top producer of Forbes '30 under 30' honorees

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of only two public universities on the Top 10 list of colleges that have produced the most Forbes '30 under 30' honorees this year.

  • U of I System Virtual Town Hall Featuring President Killeen

    Virtual Town Hall

    The Illinois Alumni Association recently hosted a Virtual Town Hall featuring University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen. Listen to hear more about the latest system initiatives, and the alumni Q & A with the president.

  • Gregory Knott

    Two-degree alumnus Gregory Knott appointed as U of I secretary

    Gregory Knott, an administrator for nearly two decades at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a graduate of two U of I System universities, has been appointed secretary of the Board of Trustees and the University, President Tim Killeen announced Friday.

  • William C. Jackson

    William C. Jackson to lead Discovery Partners Institute

    William C. Jackson, a former president at Johnson Controls and an alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been named to head the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the world-class center for research and innovation led by the U of I System, President Tim Killeen announced today.

  • Tim Killeen & the U of I System logo

    Four-year extension proposed for U of I president

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will consider a proposal Thursday that would extend President Tim Killeen’s contract by four years, through June 30, 2024.

  • Pack of UIC graduates in caps and gowns

    U of I trustees to consider new tuition, fee and housing rates

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Wednesday received recommendations from U of I System administrators for new tuition, fee and housing rates for the 2020-21 academic year that for the first time in six years include modest increases in tuition for in-state freshmen.

  • Don Edwards at microphone

    Edwards re-elected chairman of U of I Board of Trustees

    Donald J. Edwards was unanimously re-elected to a second one-year term as chairman of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees during its annual organizational meeting Thursday at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).

  • U of I seal

    U of I approves tuition, fee and housing rates

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved modest, inflation-based tuition increases for in-state freshmen next fall, the first increases for Illinois students in six years. 

  • Tim Killeen & the U of I System logo

    U of I board, president agree to four-year extension

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to extend President Tim Killeen’s contract by four years, through June 30, 2024.

  • composite photo of individuals at laptops

    U of I System Excels in Online Program Rankings

    Online programs at all three universities in the University of Illinois System have been recognized in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings.

  • Susan Koch in front of UIS colonnade

    UIS Chancellor Koch announces retirement

    Susan J. Koch, chancellor of the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) since 2011, announced Friday she will retire as chancellor of UIS and vice president of the University of Illinois System effective June 30. She is currently the longest-serving chancellor of the U of I System.

  • Robin Fretwell Wilson

    Robin Fretwell Wilson named director of IGPA

    Robin Fretwell Wilson, a professor and associate dean at the University of Illinois College of Law, has been appointed director of the U of I Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA).

  • DPI rendering

    Gov. Pritzker commits $500 million to IIN and DPI

    Highlighting his dynamic, long-term vision for economic development built on state-of-the-art technology, robust higher education and private partnerships, Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday announced that the State of Illinois is moving forward with $500 million in capital funding for the University of Illinois System’s Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) and Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) – a network of research and innovation hubs that will serve as a magnet for technology and talent.

  • Anne & Don Edwards

    Don, Anne Edwards donate $10 million to U of I

    University of Illinois Board of Trustees Chairman Don Edwards and his wife, Anne, on Wednesday announced a $10 million gift to their alma mater, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – the largest gift ever by a U of I trustee.

  • flags of many countries

    Illinois universities unite to advocate for international students and scholars

    Illinois universities are urging members of the state’s congressional delegation to address obstacles facing international students and scholars. More than 53,000 international students attended colleges and universities in Illinois during the 2018-19 academic year, contributing $1.9 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 25,000 jobs.  

  • U of I advocates in the Capitol Rotunda

    More than 200 participate in Day at the Capitol

    Alumni, students, Illinois Connection advocates, and leaders from across the University of Illinois System descended on Springfield on February 6, 2020 for the U of I System Day at the Capitol. The annual event is a chance for legislators to hear from our advocates about the importance of supporting higher education and the system's three universities.

  • U of I seal

    U of I System team to help coordinate coronavirus response

    The University of Illinois System has established a new COVID-19 Planning and Response Team to help coordinate the system’s response to and communication about the novel coronavirus, U of I System President Tim Killeen announced Monday.

  • Seidel named president of University of Wyoming

    Edward Seidel, the University of Illinois System’s vice president for economic development and innovation, on Wednesday was named the 28th president of the University of Wyoming.

  • Illini at graduation

    Illini Success report shows graduates succeeding in jobs, salaries

    Recent graduates from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found jobs, enrolled in graduate school or began a volunteer program at record rates, according to the 2018-19 Illini Success annual report released today.

  • COVID-19 UPDATE from U of I System, with virus image

    U of I System guidelines outlined in response to COVID-19 pandemic

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen and the chancellors from the system's three universities issued new guidelines today for students, faculty, and staff amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Artist's rendering of the new Computer Design Research and Learning Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

    Trustees approve measures to advance capital projects

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday took steps to advance important capital projects at two U of I System universities.

  • CDC image of virus up close

    COVID-19 news and research

    (Originally posted March 5). The University of Illinois System has established a COVID-19 Planning and Response Team to help coordinate the system’s response to and communication about the virus, and our three universities are monitoring their campuses and working with their local community agencies. COVID-19 related websites, communications, policies, and other resources can be found on this page.

  • COVID-19 UPDATE from U of I System, with virus image

    COVID-19 update

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen sent a COVID-19 update massmail this evening to faculty, staff, and students.

  • COVID-19 update with university seal

    Commencement ceremonies update

    Today University of Illinois System leadership sent a massmail regarding commencement ceremonies in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • COVID-19 update with university seal

    Statewide stay-at-home order

    Today University of Illinois System leadership sent a massmail to faculty, staff and students regarding new orders from the governor to curb the spread of COVID-19, and how experts from our universities are assisting the efforts.

  • A worker assists with hand sanitizer production at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

    U of I System assisting state in COVID-19 response

    The University of Illinois System is sharing expertise and resources from across its three universities and healthcare enterprise to support the state’s efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Dylan Lunch, assistant director for the UIC Engineering MakerSpace, produces face shields to supply to the University of Illinois Hospital.

    UIC engineers creating face shields to ease PPE shortage

    UIC Engineers designed a face shield made from thin plastic that could be manufactured at UIC’s Engineering Makerspace in 20 seconds to help ease a shortage of protective gear at UI Health.

  • graphic image of ventilator over lung image

    Emergency ventilator prototype developed

    A team led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering and Carle Health has produced a prototype emergency ventilator to help address the expected surge in the need for respiratory care associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • COVID-19 update with university seal

    COVID-19 reminder: keep your guard up

    University of Illinois System leadership sent a COVID-19 update message today to students, faculty, and staff.

  • U of I seal

    Trustees approve procurement flexibility for COVID-19 spending

    The Executive Committee of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a measure that would temporarily provide the system and its universities with greater flexibility on certain purchases related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • U of I president Killeen

    U of I System: Rising to the Challenge

    Tim Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, extends appreciation to students, faculty, staff and friends, and expresses pride and awe in how the entire system is rising to the challenge during this pandemic.

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

    Illinois public universities seek additional federal support for COVID-19 costs

    Presidents of Illinois public universities sent the following letter to the state’s congressional delegation Tuesday, seeking additional relief from increasing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • family figurines facing covid figurine

    IGPA releases report on state economic impact of COVID-19

    The University of Illinois System's Institute of Government & Public Affairs Task Force on the Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic released a report today looking at the potential effect on Illinois state finances. The hit to state revenues is expected to be worse than the Great Recession.

  • U of I president Killeen

    COVID-19: Rising to the Challenge

    The University of Illinois System is demonstrating its land-grant mission in real time, marshalling its world-class resources and ramping up its knowledge-generating power to foster solutions that will help steer our state through the COVID-19 crisis. Visit this page for updates, communications, and other resources.

  • students in library

    U of I System creates new, $36 million financial aid fund

    The University of Illinois System has created a fund that will provide at least $36 million in new, targeted financial aid to help students who are facing increased need now and for the coming academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Tim Killeen announced today. 

  • Mother and child reading

    IGPA releases report on strain pandemic is putting on families

    The University of Illinois System’s Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) today released a report on the strain the COVID-19 Pandemic is putting on communities and families in Illinois, and how policymakers can help make them more resilient in the face of the crisis.

  • The 21st logo, Interview with Killeen, headshot of Tim Killeen

    Listen to President Tim Killeen on WILL Radio's The 21st

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen sat down with WILL Radio's The 21st show for a wide-ranging conversation on the timeline of the university system's COVID-19 response, finances, and what’s next for higher ed. 

  • COVID-19 update with university seal

    Fall 2020 planning

    President Tim Killeen has created a system-wide coordinating committee to support the system's three universities as they begin planning for the reopening of campuses in the fall and examining the changes that will be required to ensure both safety and excellence.

  • Jay Walsh headshot

    Jay Walsh named interim VP for economic development and innovation

    Joseph “Jay” Walsh, a biomedical engineering scholar with a lengthy track record of turning transformative research into economic opportunity, has been named interim vice president for economic development and innovation for the University of Illinois System, President Tim Killeen announced Thursday.

  • University of Illinois seal

    Title IX updates

    In a massmail to students, faculty, and staff, today University of Illinois System leadership shared updates to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

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

    Gift Days program for employees extended to fifth year

    U of I System leadership have announced that a program providing additional paid days off for employees during the December/January holidays has been extended to a fifth straight year.

  • future home of DPI

    DPI launches new education and workforce research center

    The Discovery Partners Institute has launched a new education and workforce research center, IWERC, with $3.9 million from some of the city’s most influential philanthropists and foundations.

  • Trees at Allerton Park

    U of I System makes lead investment in new BlackRock strategy

    The University of Illinois System has invested nearly $160 million of the system endowment into its commitment to sustainability, becoming the first investor in a new environmentally and socially focused strategy launched by BlackRock Inc., a global asset manager and leader in sustainable investing.