Nominating a changemaker for the Shin Humanitarian Award accomplishes two powerful things at once. The honoree receives recognition and gifts $50,000 to University of Illinois System work they believe in. Nominate a humanitarian today. The deadline is April 13: go.uillinois.edu/2026ShinExcellence

Plastic shopping bags can take hundreds of years to decompose, and many cities now implement per-bag usage charges. A UIC College of Engineering team may have a solution for both of these issues: a plant-based bioplastic that uses lignin. ♻️ Learn more: ow.ly/tVEu50YqoAS

Even our shortest month was filled with impactful news and inspiring stories from all three of our universities. Keep up with all U of I System happenings every month by subscribing below! ⛅ February's edition: https://ow.ly/1Wek50YpaXG 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/4g9950YpaXE

Quantum computing sounds like a futuristic idea, but in Illinois there's momentum toward making it reality. If you wonder what quantum could mean for you, try this podcast with Harley Johnson, executive director and CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park: https://ow.ly/RwZA50YoI8M

On February 27, the University of Illinois System closed on its purchase of 250 S. Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago to serve as the permanent headquarters of the Discovery Partners Institute, led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 🌇 Learn more 🔽

At yesterday's U of I System Day at the Capitol, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and leadership from our community joined together to champion the impact of higher education across Illinois. We share a common goal: strengthening Illinois through the power of public higher education.

At first, Zoey felt anxious at the University of Illinois Chicago. What turned things around? A peer coach who’d walked a similar path. A grant that erased tuition and fees. And U of I System infrastructure built to support students from every angle: news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/16...

The state budget proposed today by Governor JB Pritzker would provide a 1% increase in state-appropriated general operating funds for the U of I System. The proposal would continue the vital reinvestment in public higher education prioritized by our state and Gov. Pritzker in recent years.

With a record 101,081 students enrolled at our three universities, the University of Illinois System is building clear pathways into and through college like never before. 🎓 Learn more about the ways we're affirming our commitment to access and affordability to learners of all ages 👇

The University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry hosted its annual Give Kids A Smile day by welcoming nearly 100 children from St. Malachy School. 🌆 Children received free comprehensive oral exams, teeth cleaning and sealants, oral health education, and dietary recommendations. 🦷

Photosynthesis: a billions-old process that's actually kinda inefficient. @mikegrunwald.bsky.social discusses researchers at @uofilsystem.bsky.social's efforts to improve the process with AI, potentially increasing crop yields up to 50% in 20 years and how it could save our farming future.

As farmers face mounting economic pressures, Extension provides resources ranging from mental health vouchers and crisis support lines to comprehensive financial planning tools.  🔗 https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/illinois-extension-offers-support-farmers-experiencing-economic-stress

From @uisedu.bsky.social's Prairie Promise to Chicago's Aspire grant to Urbana-Champaign's Illinois Commitment, the University of Illinois System is dedicated to making a world-class education more affordable and accessible. Learn more in our 2025 Annual Report: ow.ly/Ap0n50YcrnF

A new study from the Urban Transportation Center at @uiccuppa.bsky.social shows that investing in rural transit in Illinois pays big dividends. 🚐💰 For every $1 put in, nearly $4 in value is gained through improved health outcomes, increased workforce participation, and more: ow.ly/A0kU50YbWgu

The 2026 UIS Star Party poster will be premiered on February 11! Here is a retrospective of the previous 16 years of Star Party posters.

At Education at Illinois's new Healing, Training, and Research Clinic in Champaign, graduate student clinicians broaden their experiences by providing free counseling services to community members—a win-win situation for all. 🤝

This Black History Month, the University of Illinois Chicago is celebrating the achievements of Africans and African Americans in our country with the theme "Stories of Our Resistance and Resilience." Bookmark the 2026 campus-wide schedule of events here: go.uic.edu/BHM

Despite the bitter cold, our campuses warmed back to action this month. Catch up with our biggest stories below, and subscribe for future months! 🌬️ January's edition: https://ow.ly/b9hB50Y6uNS 📩 Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/Xoab50Y6uNT

Dr. Robert A. Barish, vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago, writes in Crain's Chicago Business that "when academic medicine and public service intersect, the result is not just broader access to care. It is better care for everyone." 👉 https://ow.ly/pUBa50Y4nKe

Reminder: our annual Federal Priorities Town Hall starts tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. CST! U of I System President Killeen will reflect on last year's engagement, preview our 2026 goals, and conclude with a Q-and-A session with the audience. Register for free here: https://ow.ly/TBHy50XY2r1

This tax season, the University of Illinois Springfield's College of Business & Management will provide area residents with professional tax preparations at no cost. 💰 For more details and eligibility: https://ow.ly/EVCY50Y1UQx

The Illinois Innovation Network's Social Innovation and Impact Seed Grant program awarded over $160,000 to two new projects. 🌱 💡 personalizing learning for neurodivergent students 👴 enhancing social support for older adults in Illinois Learn more: https://ow.ly/3Aes50Y1iM2

Our 2025 annual report highlights our economic impact, with new data showing the breadth of our reach across Illinois. It reflects the essence of our mission: expanding access, driving discovery, and delivering impact. 📖 Spend time with "Collective Strength, Public Good": https://ow.ly/uvEl50Y0UXM

At our recent Board of Trustees meeting, U of I System President Tim Killeen chose to highlight seven of our more than 7,000 excellent faculty members. Along with their colleagues, we're proud of how often they go far above and beyond the tradition role of faculty. 👩🏽‍🏫👨🏻‍🔬

On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, one truth stands out: progress multiplies when we work together. At this weekend’s MLK Dinner, we gathered with others dedicated to serving the public and reflected on the responsibility we share to strengthen our communities. Dr. King’s legacy calls us forward.

Join U of I System President Tim Killeen on January 27 for our annual Federal Priorities Town Hall! President Killeen will reflect on last year's engagement, preview our 2026 goals, and conclude with a Q-and-A session with the audience. Register for free here: https://ow.ly/iW9F50XY2r2

After freezing resident undergraduate tuition rates in seven of the previous 11 years, the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois today approved a 2% tuition increase for Illinois resident undergraduate students admitted to the fall 2026 academic year.

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet in Chicago this morning, starting at 8:00 a.m. Follow along live: http://uis.edu/uislive

We power progress across Illinois. 💪 With our $24.9B annual impact, we fuel jobs and opportunity while providing significant return on investment for residents, partners, and students. 📈 Drill down into the myriad ways our system boosts the state economy: https://economicimpact25.uillinois.edu

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will meet this Thursday at 8:00 a.m. in Chicago. 🕗 To watch live, please use this stream: https://uis.edu/uislive 🎦

With active coal mines operating in Illinois and Indiana, Midwesterners are no strangers to mining-related lung diseases typically associated with Appalachia. UIC's Black Lung Clinic providing screening clinics, benefit counseling, and outreach services for coal miners. 👨🏾‍⚕️👷🏻‍♂️: https://ow.ly/h9iC50XVIQk

Read the latest report from the Illinois Creative Workforce Partnership (ICWP)’s Branching Out Series: ws.engr.illinois.edu/sitemanager/... Photo by Hulki Okan Tabak on Unsplash

The University of Illinois System and University Academic Alliance in Taiwan jointly launched five new interdisciplinary research teams that will drive innovations and advance collaboration between the universities. 🤝🏻 Learn more: https://ow.ly/clfo50XU8iu

Today, University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen informed the Board of Trustees that he will step down at the conclusion of his current contract on June 30, 2027. Highlights from his tenure: https://ow.ly/JfPh50XTwgG

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's new Dual-Credit Learning Accelerator is expanding university-level education to high schools across the state—for free. The DCLA currently offers five 100-level courses. https://ow.ly/m6Mh50XS7eW

We topped 100,000 students for the first time with a record 101,081 enrolled. 🎉🎆 President Tim Killeen emphasized the impact: “Our students are the next generation of professionals, engaged citizens, and leaders, here in Illinois and around the world.” #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/1CPx50XL3Ce#SystemStories2025

Students. Taxpayers. Communities. Society. We all benefit from the U of I System’s $24.9 billion annual impact across the state and the world. 🌆🚜🌎 Explore “Powering Progress Across Illinois.” #SystemStories2025 https://news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/623395244

In June, we proudly hosted SRI2025, featuring: 🗣️ 450 speakers 💡 120+ sessions 🌆 10 Chicago-based excursions 🌍 Countries represented from South Africa to Morocco to Wales 📺 Recap video: https://youtu.be/PJGg1EIhYsA 📖 Dive deeper: http://ow.ly/VSVM50Wo3tE #SystemStories2025

In 2025, University of Illinois Springfield added counties to a pilot that allows students from Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri to benefit from lower-cost in-state tuition at the close-knit campus ranked #1 public regional university in the state. 🌟 #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/3HuN50XL29c

In March, the U of I System and Illinois Virtual Schools & Academy launched a statewide initiative to bring high-quality virtual education to school districts. 🤝🏼 IVSA gives real-time support, live instruction, and applied learning options daily: https://ow.ly/K0AF50Vjgb7 #SystemStories2025

2025 saw tremendous momentum at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, coming to Chicago's southeast side. It'll be a first-of-its-kind campus built for quantum technology and microelectronics innovation and scale-up. Read more about them 👉 https://iqmp.org/ #SystemStories2025

In September, alumnus Larry Gies made the largest donation in Division of Intercollegiate Athletics history—a $100M gift honoring military service of all Americans including his father, Larry Gies Sr., as part of the renaming of the football facility to Gies Memorial Stadium. #SystemStories2025

Chancellor Charles Isbell started his Urbana-Champaign tenure in time to launch the 2025-26 school year. His passion for innovation is advancing the transformative role public higher education plays for Illinois and all who call it home. #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/V7b750XL1tx#SystemStories2025

In July, the UIC Department of Computer Science got a big upgrade. 👨🏽‍💻 #SystemStories2025 The Computer Design Research and Learning Center will help the fast-growing department conduct more impactful research to improve lives and the economy for Illinois and the world: https://ow.ly/7Ohl50XL59k

In October, our leadership traveled across the state for its fifth annual State Tour. Learn more about how the U of I System contributes to the economy, well-being, and education of residents from every corner of our state. #SystemStories2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWsAlNG3eDU

During the annual Day at the Capitol, our advocacy network members shared stories to spotlight the vital role of the system. Join Illinois Connection—44,000-plus advocates focused on a brighter future through education, economic development, and more: https://ow.ly/MnM250XLcOK #SystemStories2025

We showed global leaders the full Illinois experience during the Americas Competitiveness Exchange — from feeding the world to harnessing technology. The result? ACE yielded the most agreements for future projects and partnerships in its history. #SystemStories2025 https://ow.ly/WGFc50XL0c2#SystemStories2025

In 2025, we opened doors wider by making our transfer guarantee nationwide. Eligible students from colleges and universities across the U.S. now have guaranteed admission to our universities. Students shared why they chose to transfer. #SystemStories2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDgDPn3_Z2I

Are you following us on all of our socials? Get connected with a few clicks! 🔗 LinkedIn: https://ow.ly/jU7n50XLwhK 📸 Instagram: https://ow.ly/zACb50XLwhL 😉 Facebook: https://ow.ly/4gKm50XLwhM 🧵 Threads: https://ow.ly/CwJL50XLwhP 🐤 X: https://ow.ly/uS0T50XLwhH ▶ YouTube: https://ow.ly/r59c50XLwhE

Both economic and literal groundwork will be laid soon at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. 🏗️ 🤝🏻 IQMP's new partnership with Silicon Catalyst: https://ow.ly/gZGm50XKWbM 📢 We issued an RFP for state-of-the-art research facilities at the IQMP (due January 9!): https://ow.ly/b54a50XKWbN