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Read the latest University of Illinois System news from the Office of External Relations and Communications.
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  • Don and Anne Edwards

    Board of Trustees Chair commits $100K for UIC's frontline healthcare workers

    May 20, 2020 10:15 am

    University of Illinois Board of Trustees Chairman Don Edwards and his wife, Anne Edwards, both alumni of the University of Illinois, have pledged $100,000 to establish the UI Health Employee Relief Fund, which will support health care workers at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, or UI Health.

  • U of I seal

    Policies restrict intimate relationships, require job-candidate disclosure

    May 21, 2020 10:30 am

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved two new policies, one that prohibits certain workplace-related intimate relationships among faculty, staff and students, and one requiring that job-candidate finalists disclose past findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment.

  • Susan Koch in front of UIS colonnade

    Susan J. Koch named chancellor emerita at UIS

    May 21, 2020 11:00 am

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday appointed outgoing University of Illinois at Springfield Chancellor Susan J. Koch as chancellor and vice president emerita. The appointment, effective July 1, confers upon her these honorary titles, which reflect her longstanding service to the university and University of Illinois System.

  • Tim Killeen headshot, Virtual Town Hall

    U of I System hosts Virtual Town Hall

    May 21, 2020 12:00 pm

    On May 13, 2020 the University of Illinois System hosted a tele-town hall for advocates and legislative staff. President Tim Killeen discussed the system's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and took live questions from callers.

  • university seal/annual report cover

    2020 annual report highlights initiatives from across the U of I System

    May 22, 2020 9:00 am

    Empowering Extraordinary, the 2020 annual report from the University of Illinois System, highlights recent initiatives, accomplishments, and innovations from across the system, including our ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • UIUC campus and UIC campus

    U of I System has two universities in QS rankings of nation's best

    May 26, 2020 1:00 pm

    The University of Illinois System has two universities that are among the top 15 public institutions in the nation, according to a newly designed set of rankings highlighting institutions that best serve the needs of students and are effecting positive social and economic change, such as equitability and sustainability.

  • Illinois State Capitol building

    State budget update

    May 26, 2020 3:00 pm

    In a massmail sent today, University of Illinois System leaders shared that state appropriations for the U of I System would remain at current levels for the coming year under a budget approved over the holiday weekend by the Illinois Legislature that will be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is expected to sign it into law.

  • Main street in pandemic

    IGPA task force's roadmap for safely reopening state's economy

    May 29, 2020 8:00 am

    The Institute of Government and Public Affairs assembled a task force of interdisciplinary faculty experts from all three universities in the University of Illinois System to assess COVID-19’s effects on the state. This essay represents the work of several task force members to create a roadmap for safely reopening the state’s economy.

  • U of I seal

    Reflections on George Floyd tragedy

    May 31, 2020 2:00 pm

    President Tim Killeen and Executive Vice President Barb Wilson sent a massmail today to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends reflecting on the George Floyd tragedy.

  • Financial update

    Jun 2, 2020 12:00 pm

    University of Illinois System leadership sent a massmail to faculty and staff today regarding the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided guidelines for mitigation.

  • portrait of Karen Whitney, interim chancellor, UIS

    Veteran university leader Karen Whitney named interim chancellor at UIS

    Jun 3, 2020 10:00 am

    Karen M. Whitney, a nationally recognized higher education leader, has been selected to serve as interim chancellor of the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS), University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen announced today. 

  • Karen M. Whitney

    Executive Committee approves Karen Whitney as interim chancellor at UIS

    Jun 10, 2020 1:45 pm

    The Executive Committee of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved the appointment of Karen M. Whitney as interim chancellor of the University of Illinois at Springfield.

  • DACA ruling

    Jun 18, 2020 2:30 pm

    University of Illinois leadership sent a massmail today to students, faculty and staff regarding the the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

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

    Fall semester plans announced

    Jun 18, 2020 3:00 pm

    A message was sent today to University of Illinois System students, faculty and staff regarding plans to resume on-campus activities next fall at its universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.

  • pride flags

    Supreme Court LGBTQ decision

    Jun 23, 2020 10:15 am

    In a massmail today, U of I System President Tim Killeen and Executive VP/VP of Academic Affairs Barb Wilson commented on last week's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ worker rights.

  • Farewell to Chancellor Koch

    Jun 24, 2020 10:15 am

    In a massmail today, President Tim Killeen and the University of Illinois at Springfield shared a farewell video for Chancellor Susan Koch, wishing her well and thanking her for her service.

  • Extension announces inaugural class of Illini Science Policy Fellowship

    Jun 25, 2020 11:30 am

    The University of Illinois Extension on Monday announced that five University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduates will make up the inaugural class of the Illini Science Policy Fellowship (ISPF) program, which matches advanced-degree graduates with mentors in Illinois government and Extension to gain hands-on experience addressing issues critical to Illinois.

  • Universities adopt test-optional policy for fall 2021 freshman applications

    Jun 26, 2020 10:45 am

    All three universities in the University of Illinois System have made ACT/SAT exams optional for high school students applying for undergraduate admission for the 2021-22 school year, due to disruption to testing timelines caused by COVID-19.

  • University logos over Chicago skyline with student

    Turning 'Uncertain' Into 'Extraordinary'

    Jul 6, 2020 9:00 am

    Our latest video shines a light on the many efforts underway across the University of Illinois System to lead the way through the challenges of a global pandemic.

  • row of flags from variety of countries

    Importance of our international students

    Jul 8, 2020 1:00 pm

    President Tim Killeen issued a statement today regarding the importance of international students to the University of Illinois System.

  • System statement on legal opposition to new ICE rules

    Jul 10, 2020 5:15 pm

    The University of Illinois System announced its opposition to new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visa restrictions for international students.

  • U of I seal

    U of I System supports Illinois Attorney General's challenge

    Jul 13, 2020 5:00 pm

    In a massmail sent today, the University of Illinois System announced its participation in a new legal effort by 18 attorneys general around the country to challenge the recent ICE restrictions on visas for international students.

  • four campuses: UIUC, UIC, U of Chicago, and Northwestern

    UIUC, UIC part of new $15.5M mathematical institute

    Jul 14, 2020 10:00 am

    Mathematicians and statisticians from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Illinois at Chicago and will join researchers at two other leading universities in Illinois as part of the new Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation.

  • Federal government rescinds new rule regarding international students

    Jul 14, 2020 5:45 pm

    In a massmail this evening, U of I System leadership shared the news that the federal government rescinded the recent directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enformcent (ICE) that placed new restrictions on visas for international students.

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

    Jul 20, 2020 10:00 am

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

  • graphic depicting linked hardware for storing and processing quantum information

    Midwest collaboration awarded $25M quantum information institute

    Jul 21, 2020 11:45 am

    The Grainger College of Engineering’s Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) will launch a National Science Foundation Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Networks (HQAN). 

  • U of I seal

    U of I trustees appoint new leaders in key positions

    Jul 23, 2020 10:30 am

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved new high-level campus leadership and passed two measures related to important capital projects.

  • iiN logo

    Illinois Innovation Network announces seed funding recipients

    Jul 27, 2020 1:00 pm

    The Illinois Innovation Network on Monday awarded seed grants to teams that will use collaborative research to improve nutrition, turn trash into usable products, explore urban-rural connections, and enhance agricultural practices. 

  • Barbara Ransby at podium

    Professor Barbara Ransby named MacArthur Chair

    Jul 30, 2020 10:00 am

    University of Illinois at Chicago Professor Barbara Ransby has been named a John D. MacArthur Chair, University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen announced Thursday.

  • Gloved staff member loading samples into a bin for processing

    U of I to expand COVID saliva testing nationally

    Aug 10, 2020 3:15 pm

    The Executive Committee of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Monday created a new university-related organization as part of a broad effort to expand the reach of saliva-based testing pioneered by U of I researchers that supports widespread testing with rapid results to limit spread of the COVID-19 virus.

  • Rendering of the UI Health Outpatient Surgery Center and Specialty Clinics

    UIC breaks ground on new clinical building

    Aug 12, 2020 1:30 pm

    The new 200,000-square-foot Outpatient Surgery Center and Specialty Clinics building will provide expanded space for the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, or UI Health, to serve patients needing GI, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, transplant and urology services. 

  • books in library

    Public Voices Fellowship

    Aug 18, 2020 9:15 am

    Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs Barb Wilson announced the second cohort for the system-wide Public Voices Fellowship.

  • female researcher performing testing in lab

    University of Illinois validates saliva-based test

    Aug 19, 2020 3:00 pm

    The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is now performing its new rapid, saliva-based COVID-19 test on all students, faculty and staff. The university validated its laboratory-developed test under CLIA by successfully comparing its performance to an FDA Emergency Use Authorized test.

  • saliva testing on Urbana campus - glove with test tube

    New Shield T3 board installs inaugural officers

    Aug 19, 2020 4:00 pm

    The Board of Managers of a new organization created to expand the reach of saliva-based COVID-19 testing pioneered by University of Illinois researchers installed its inaugural slate of officers during an organizational meeting Wednesday.

  • President Killeen on bench in garden

    Fall 2020 welcome

    Aug 25, 2020 10:00 am

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen welcomes students, faculty and staff to a fall semester unlike any other.

  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign engineering campus

    U of I to lead two of seven new national AI institutes

    Aug 26, 2020 12:00 pm

    The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will lead two of seven new national artificial intelligence institutes, thanks to $40M in new funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture. One will focus on AI in agriculture and the other will use AI in molecule-making.

  • Rendering of future DPI at the 78 in Chicago

    DPI awards more than $1 million in R&D grants

    Aug 27, 2020 1:45 pm

    The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is launching eight, world-class research teams from the University of Illinois system and partner universities with more than $1 million in seed funding.

  • Screenshot from CNBC

    COVID-19 testing strategies allow universities to open

    Aug 28, 2020 3:00 pm

    CNBC (Aug. 28) On CNBC's "Sqauwk on the Street," University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen discussed the pioneering saliva-based testing program that allowed the system’s three universities to resume face-to-face instruction this fall.

  • Screenshot from CNN

    University of Illinois tests students, faculty and staff at least weekly

    Sep 1, 2020 3:30 pm

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen spoke with CNN on the groundbreaking saliva-based testing program underway at the system's three university campuses.

  • 90,000 students strong, books in background, U of I System logo

    U of I System enrollment tops 90,000 for first time

    Sep 9, 2020 10:00 am

    Enrollment grew across the University of Illinois System this fall, topping 90,000 students for the first time and setting a record for the eighth straight year despite the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn it has spawned, President Tim Killeen announced today.

  • bronze U of I seal

    U of I trustees approve lease to expand DPI space

    Sep 10, 2020 12:00 pm

    The University of Illinois Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a lease that will roughly double the amount of space now occupied by the Discovery Partners Institute’s headquarters to accommodate the growing demand for programming space.

  • campuses of UIUC, UIC, and UIS

    U of I System universities rank high in U.S. News & World Report

    Sep 14, 2020 2:00 pm

    All three universities in the U of I System were ranked highly among public institutions again this year in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, with Top 10 ratings in a number of categories.

  • RIsing to the Challenge, a podcast, with university iconic images

    New podcast: Rising to the Challenge

    Sep 15, 2020 10:30 am

    The U of I System is introducing “Rising to the Challenge,” a new podcast dedicated to telling stories from across the system and our universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.

  • artist rendering of proposed DPI

    City Scholars program expands at Discovery Partners Institute

    Sep 17, 2020 11:30 am

    The Discovery Partners Institute and The Grainger College of Engineering are expanding the City Scholars program to now include the University of Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech).

  • Headshots of Burke, Prabhakar, and Siemionow

    Three U of I System scientists named "Researchers to Know 2020" by the ISTC

    Sep 17, 2020 1:00 pm

    Three scientists in the U of I System were identified as "Researchers to Know 2020" by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition: Marty Burke at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Bellur Prabhakar and Maria Siemionow at University of Illinois Chicago.

  • administrators in masks cut red ribbon in surgical center

    UIC opens $8.8 million Surgical Innovation & Training Laboratory

    Sep 21, 2020 9:45 am

    Operating robotic scissors, University of Illinois Chicago Chancellor Michael Amiridis snipped a ribbon to officially open the University of Illinois College of Medicine Surgical Innovation & Training Laboratory, on Sept. 15. 

  • RIsing to the Challenge, a podcast, with university iconic images

    Podcast Episode 2: Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3, Testing

    Sep 21, 2020 3:15 pm

    The second episode of our "Rising to the Challenge" podcast series discusses COVID-19 testing, featuring the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign SHIELD strategy, plus a team from University of Illinois Chicago that is helping protect Chicago's homeless population. 

  • Red, white and blue "vote" button and front cover of census booklet

    Information on registering to vote, completing the 2020 census

    Sep 23, 2020 8:15 am

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen and Executive Vice President Barb Wilson remind students, faculty and staff of the importance of registering to vote and participating in the census.

  • RIsing to the Challenge, a podcast, with university iconic images

    Podcast Episode #3: Stressed to the Nines

    Oct 6, 2020 3:00 pm

    The third episode of the "Rising to the Challenge" podcast series discusses COVID-19 stress, featuring an emergency room physician at UIC and a social work professor from Urbana-Champaign.

  • Rich and Leslie Frank at their vineyard

    $7.5M gift establishes Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media

    Oct 12, 2020 10:00 am

    The College of Media at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has announced that its students will benefit from a suite of enhanced professional experiences, thanks to a $7.5 million gift by Rich and Leslie Frank of St. Helena, California. The gift, the largest in the College’s history, will establish the Richard and Leslie Frank Center for Leadership and Innovation in Media.