University of Illinois Extension

Connect. Learn. Grow.

Get Savvy: Tackling Taxes

Jan 27 | NOON: Young adults and college students can learn about tax forms, deductions, credits, and other tax basics in this free online webinar.

Winter Gardening Ideas

From caring for a Christmas tree to keeping houseplants happy, Illinois Extension horticulture educators have you covered on ways to keep your green thumb active this winter!

Cold Weather Resources

From firewood and space heater safety, to feeding your family and keeping your home safe and warm, we've made it easy to find information to help.

Online Master Gardener Training

Give the gift of gardening. Illinois Master Gardening training starts in January and February with online only and hybrid options.

Webinars and Digital Training

Information you trust is just a click away. Illinois Extension’s high-quality programs are available for free online as live webinars. Miss a program? Check out the recordings.

Let's Talk Money

No matter where you are with finances, gain knowledge and build confidence to make positive changes for your financial present and future.

Master Gardener Training

Gain practical experience and horticulture knowledge straight from Extension educators so you can positively impact your community.

Budget-Friendly Nutrition Tips

Make healthier choices for your family on any budget. Find your healthy lifestyle with Eat. Move. Save.

Advocate for the Environment

Love nature? The Master Naturalist program works with adult volunteers to support natural spaces and wildlife around Illinois as environmental stewards.

A boy and girl use post hole diggers in a forest
4-H service project brushes off invasives
In 1830, a young Abraham Lincoln traveled from Indiana with his family to settle in Illinois. Almost two centuries later, new young leaders are following in his footsteps by preserving the state’s natural legacy at his namesake park.
Toy turkey in small shopping cart on red background
Smaller turkeys, lower prices on Thanksgiving menu
With more intimate gatherings being the new norm for Thanksgiving and Christmas, small whole turkeys at lower prices are on the menu in 2020.
Diabetes awareness month
Diabetes Tools and Resources
1 in 10 people in the U.S. have diabetes. This collection of diabetes webinars, tools and resources on meal planning, stress management and other topics can help people with diabetes understand risk factors and adopt healthy behaviors to better manage their diabetes.
Lawn sign "2020 state outstanding master gardener award winner"
Illinois Master Gardener volunteers recognized for their dedication
You may not know the names of Illinois’ Master Gardeners, but you know their work. Horticulture is their passion and their mission is helping others learn to grow.
Rotting jack o' lantern
Green your Halloween by composting pumpkins
This Halloween, don’t trash your pumpkins, smash them. Decomposing organic materials in landfills are a major source of the greenhouse gas methane.
Two young women wearing crowns and sashes hold a sign that says "Climb the Hill" while lobbying.
Illinois teen crowned national 4-H civic engagement winner
Elizabeth Weidner won the national 4-H Youth in Action Pillar Award for Civic Engagement. Elizabeth is an advocate for pediatric cancer awareness, research, and funding, and works to support the families patients.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Response resources for COVID-19

The spread and mitigation of coronavirus (COVID-19) is an evolving concern for Illinois. This library of resources can help families, businesses, community leaders, and ag producers cope.

Find Local Food Resources

Find all food assistance sites closest to your Illinois zip code, including food pantries, school meal sites, and grocery stores and farmers markets that accept WIC/SNAP.

Economic and Functional Value

A new report finds that Extension provides more than $600 million annual benefit to Illinois, ten times its budget. Read the report.

En Espanol

La Extensión de la Universidad de Illinois es el principal alcance emblemático de la Universidad de Illinois en Urbana-Champaign, que ofrece programas educativos a los residentes de los 102 condados de Illinois, y mucho más.