The University of Illinois System

Our 2026 Leadership State Tour traversed Illinois, from downtown Chicago to the Metro East and ten more stops along the way. 📍 📑 Full recap: https://ow.ly/a9sa51012RF 🗺️ Tour website and pictures from the road: https://ow.ly/n1Nj51012RK

For Elgin Community College students who want to continue their education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Transfer Drive can make that dream a reality. 🎓 Learn more at www.uillinois.edu/transferdrive.

Leading up to the announcement of his $100 million matching gift, alum Larry Gies (ACCY '88) interviewed students and faculty about the life-changing experiences they’ve had at @giesbusiness.bsky.social.

Madison Industries Founder and CEO Larry Gies (ACCY '88) has announced a generous pledge of $100 million to @giesbusiness.bsky.social! The pledge will match qualifying donations to support scholarships, enhance learner experiences, and ensure faculty excellence.

This fall, high school students across Illinois are already earning early college credit. And in the Dual Credit @ Illinois program, they're doing it from their home districts. Learn more about the program, and how to participate in it: https://ow.ly/jXeO50ZZ3Cj

Talent. Technology. Trust. A road ahead filled with opportunities for Illinois. In this long-form podcast with Crain's Chicago Business, President Tim Killeen reflects on what he has learned during his nearly 12 years leading the University of Illinois System. Watch now: https://ow.ly/OiO450ZWXuB

Scientists used machine learning and super-resolution microscopy to overcome a decadeslong obstacle to categorizing grass pollen fossils. Read more here: news.illinois.edu/pollen-study... @lasillinois.bsky.social @uofilsystem.bsky.social @ibioillinois.bsky.social

Two and a half years ago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students had a vision for a solar-powered, all-electric house. With construction now complete, that dream has become reality. 🏡 The Rantoul home will be donated to a local family via Habitat for Humanity.

We had big moments throughout September, including our annual Leadership State Tour and yet another systemwide enrollment record. Read all about it in Stay Connected! 📈 September edition: https://ow.ly/eJJM50ZU2Rw 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/riky50ZU2RB

Wrapping up an exhilarating week on the road across Illinois, University of Illinois System leaders visited Lanphier High School in Springfield. Lanphier serves students for whom the path to an in-state public university isn't always visible — but today, the U of I System made it a little clearer.

President Killeen and our chancellors gathered at University of Illinois Springfield to reflect upon what they saw and heard across the state this week. The conversation underscored the importance of the partnership between system and state, and the tangible benefits that it provides to Illinoisans.

In Belleville, we honored those building a stronger Metro East. From the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Innovation Center to our program offering in-state rates to neighboring Metro East counties, we're not just visiting; we're continuing to invest in the area.

Our partnership with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is making a positive, tangible impact on healthcare outcomes across the state, and we saw proof of that today in the Metro East. We'll continue to provide academic and workforce pipelines to improve the region's health.

Through our partnership with Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy, we're providing access to high-quality learning to every corner of Illinois. At North Mac High School, we heard how IVSA helps solve their staffing and access challenges — and watched a live physics lesson taught by an IVSA teacher!

At last night's reception at Peoria's Distillery Labs, we thanked the leaders, organizations, and advocates whose partnership has shaped what we're able to do for Greater Peoria. We reaffirmed our commitment to forging ahead together, ready to write the next chapter in Peoria's story.

As our Illinois Innovation Network hub in Peoria, Distillery Labs is strengthening the River City's reputation as a center for innovation and talent development. We joined a taping of "In the Arena" that highlighted our investment in healthcare infrastructure and entrepreneurship in the region.

Renowned for its extraordinary record of college acceptance and scholarship attainment, Southland College Prep produces talent that the U of I System aims to keep in Illinois. Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin also joined our tour to celebrate the school and the community it serves.

Last night, the Obama Presidential Center became a setting for an extraordinary evening of celebration on our 2026 State Tour. We honored changemakers whose work embodies the U of I System's mission and values, and the partnerships celebrated will carry our work into its next chapter.

The U of I System continues to expand its presence in Chicago, as we strive to keep Illinois talent in-state. The pathway from Englewood to our universities became clearer today for students at Lindblom Math and Science Academy — a selective enrollment high school recognized for STEM excellence.

Economic opportunity. College access. Health equity. Today, these goals were the focus of our tour stop at Kennedy-King College in Englewood. Closing these gaps takes partnership, and working together, the University of Illinois System and Kennedy-King College are leading the way.

When higher education and businesses join forces, they’re actively positioning Illinois to lead the next economic transformation. 🤝 Our 2026 Leadership State Tour began at the University Club of Chicago, with a forward-looking conversation exploring the forces reshaping Illinois' economic future.

We begin our sixth annual Leadership State Tour this week, traveling from Chicago to Springfield with stops in Peoria and the Metro East. This year's theme, "Invested in Illinois," celebrates the partnerships that connect us to communities across the state and explores new ways to build on them.

Thank you to the @uofilsystem.bsky.social Board of Trustees Academic and Student Affairs Committee for inviting Executive Director Praveen Kumar to share the work and impact of the Prairie Research Institute!

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois today approved funding for the new Drug Discovery and Cancer Research Pavilion at the University of Illinois Chicago. The facility will include wet labs, offices, a vivarium and research spaces. The board also approved a $9.6B operating budget.

The negative effects of vaping on users' respiratory systems are well-known, but a Prairie Research Institute team found a second way they can do harm: lead and other metals inside vape cartridges, which can end up in landfills where they can leach into groundwater: https://ow.ly/vmH250ZNZrA

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. in Urbana. 🕗 You may follow along with the proceedings live using this link: https://uis.edu/uislive 🎦

Opening today at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, "Never Forget" examines the memories and lasting impact of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the lives of 25 University of Illinois Chicago alums, faculty, staff, and students. Read more about the exhibit: https://ow.ly/rNyW50ZMBQs

Medicaid is not a line item — it's a lifeline for one in four people in Illinois. Changes starting next year could reshape state spending in ways that ripple far beyond healthcare. The Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) breaks down the fiscal implications: https://ow.ly/K8Q650ZLZQB

For the first time, fall enrollment across the University of Illinois System has topped 102,000 — a new system record. 📈 The growth is coming from home: in-state undergraduates are up 4.2%, and Illinois residents now make up nearly 80% of our undergraduate population: https://ow.ly/psSG50ZLfv8

As we welcome students back for the new academic year, our system continues to make big headlines — including the launch of our new Transfer Drive program. Catch up on August's news with Stay Connected! 📚 August edition: https://ow.ly/HSus50ZHjKy 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/yvJ850ZHjKB

The rise of artificial intelligence brings great possibilities for productivity—but also confusion, even fear. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Charles Isbell says that moving forward, we must build AI systems that are both transparent and inspectable: https://ow.ly/iOwv50ZG8Ek

If you don't know what the MONO-MARS is, that's understandable: it's the first atomic-scale electron microscope of its kind in the world. 🔬 And it now lives on the UIC campus, where researchers both within and outside of UIC can reserve time with the device: https://ow.ly/F6k950ZFiHA

It's been a whirlwind first two years for the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), and its building momentum has created interest and curiosity into the park's mission and purpose. CEO Harley Johnson explores and explains what the IQMP is—and also what it isn't: ow.ly/yUEo50ZESEo

Want to learn more about the current state of quantum computing? 👨🏽‍💻 Join us Thursday morning for our virtual symposium, Quantum Computing and Microelectronics Technology: Driving Innovation in Modern Industry. For the agenda, speaker bios, and free registration: https://ow.ly/mVfV50ZAWB4

The University of Illinois System is launching Transfer Drive, which provides a full range of support for income-eligible students transferring to its three universities from select Illinois community colleges. 🎓 Learn more: https://ow.ly/I2UA50ZzrCb

Want to get caught up on what's now and what's next in quantum computing? 👨‍💻 Join the Quantum Computing and Microelectronics Technology: Driving Innovation in Modern Industry Symposium on Thursday, August 20 from 9:00 a.m. to noon CDT. Save your virtual spot here: https://ow.ly/FlFf50Zy9Yf

Malaria remains one of the most dangerous diseases on the planet, infecting a quarter-billion and killing over 600,000 people. A new oral drug developed by a UIC Retzky College of Pharmacy team shows great promise in the fight against malaria — killing those parasites in just a single dose.

The Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) Illinois Flash Index for July dropped to 101.2 from 101.4 in June. However, an index over 100 reflects that the Illinois economy is still growing. 📈

Most climate scientists agree that even with cuts in current emissions, the world won't hit climate targets without removing CO₂ that's already our atmosphere. 🌥️ To solve that problem, a MechSE at Illinois team has developed an innovative, efficient method for direct air capture of CO₂.

July saw big stories come from our system, including the official launch of the nationwide search for our next president, succeeding President Tim Killeen in 2027 after more than a decade of leadership. ☀️ July edition: https://ow.ly/i7u950ZvNgu 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/ejSJ50ZvNgw

Rashid Bashir, dean of @uofigrainger.bsky.social, recently penned a powerful piece in the @chicagotribune.com about why it's so important not only to lead the innovations of #quantum computing in Illinois, but to keep the industry here for the long haul. https://bit.ly/4cba2co

As Spain lifted the World Cup yesterday, The Grainger College of Engineering-developed technology was on the pitch with them. ⚽🏆

We're proud to partner with Aspen Ideas for "Ideas That Move Climate Forward," July 20-22 in Chicago. Scientists, policymakers, innovators, business leaders, and changemakers will convene to explore the ideas and actions shaping a more sustainable world. For the full agenda and registration ⬇️

Summertime's longer days and hotter temperatures tend to raise air pollution levels in Chicago. A network of 277 monitoring sensors placed across the city by the UIC School of Public Health are collecting publicly-available data to target air-quality hotspots. 🌆Learn more: https://ow.ly/lpbl50Z7GOw

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees today took action to further support development of two important anchor buildings at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park: the National Quantum Facility and Quantum Works. For more details from today's meeting 👇

An Biosensors Lab team at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed goggles that give surgeons the power to visually detect cancer, reducing surgery time and helping doctors remove cancerous tissues which may go overlooked. 🥽

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet Thursday morning at 8:00 a.m. in Champaign. 🕗 You can watch the meeting live by using this link: https://uis.edu/uislive 🎦

A ChBE Illinois team has developed microparticles which release oxygen bubbles that clean wounds and instrument surfaces more effectively than simple cleaning agents like hydrogen peroxide. 👀 See up-close, microscopic video of the bubbles in action: https://ow.ly/YSwX50ZmtBf