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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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  • silver seal of the university

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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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

    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.

  • students on quads on all three university campuses

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

    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 2022 Best Colleges rankings, with Top 10 ratings in a number of categories.

  • 94,700 students strong, books in background, U of I System logo

    U of I System's fall enrollment tops 94,700

    Enrollment grew nearly 5 percent to more than 94,700 students across the University of Illinois System this fall, setting a record for the ninth straight year despite the pressures of a global pandemic, President Tim Killeen announced today.

  • Engineering Hall from the North, including Boneyard Creek

    UIUC to co-lead $15M Great Lakes Innovation Hub

    In an effort to nurture a regional innovation ecosystem and move more discoveries from the research lab to the marketplace, the National Science Foundation has established a Great Lakes Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Hub. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is co-leading the Hub, along with the University of Michigan, the University of Minnesota, and Purdue University.

  • Masked female and masked male show masked chancellor exterior of mobile lab trailer

    President honors leaders of COVID-19 lab development

    University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen on Friday honored two people who are among the primary leadership behind the system’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting them with the Presidential Medallion. 

  • COVID-19 update with colorized seal of the university

    Update on vaccination requirements

    President Tim Killeen sent a massmail to students, faculty and staff with updates on vaccination and mask requirements in keeping with Governor J.B. Pritzker's executive order.

  • Map of Illinois with plotpoints and 681,070 students; statistics of students, staff and schools served; Helping Illinois reopen safely

    More than 1,200 Illinois K-12 Schools have signed up for SHIELD testing

    More than 1,200 K-12 schools across the state have signed up to use the SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 saliva test for the start of the 2021-22 academic year. More than 650,000 students in Illinois will now have access to the test, pioneered by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • compilation of students walking on three university campuses

    Fall 2021 welcome

    President Tim Killeen welcomes students, faculty and staff to the 2021 fall semester.

  • gold medallions of U of I seal on blue ribbons

    28 receive U of I System honor for leading COVID-19 response

    University of Illinois President Tim Killeen on Monday honored 28 key leaders of the system’s COVID-19 response with the Presidential Medallion. The medallion is the highest honor that the system president can bestow.

  • group of masked people holding awards in front of banner

    Illinois Innovation Network honors innovators from across state

    The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) announced its first group of innovation awards Wednesday at the Illinois State Fair’s Tech Prairie STEAM Expo, recognizing individuals from the IIN’s 15 hubs who have made key advances in research, technology commercialization and education.

  • architectural rendering

    University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford announces $100M expansion

    The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is getting a $100 million dollar expansion that would help the school focus on rural healthcare.

  • UI Ride shuttle bus

    UI Ride shuttle service resumes Aug. 17

    In a massmail to faculty and staff in Urbana-Champaign and Chicago, Interim Executive Vice President Avijit Ghosh shared an update on the return of the UI Ride shuttle service for the fall.

  • gloved hand and test tubes in lab

    Illinois K-12 public schools can access free SHIELD Illinois COVID-19 testing

    The llinois Department of Public Health announced that it has expanded access to free COVID-19 testing to al K-12 public schools across Illinois outside of Chicago, which received its own funding.

    Schools can choose to utilize the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based test developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • silver seal of the university

    Trustees approve plan for liaison office in India

    University of Illinois System trustees on Thursday voted to establish a system liaison office in New Delhi, India, and a branch office in Bengaluru (Bangalore) to engage in student recruitment and further develop relationships with academic and corporate partners and alumni in the country.