Community and Government

Community and Economic Development programming helps community leaders, residents, and communities build capacity to make timely and effective decisions, use information wisely, and engage the community in working together better. Extension Educators design and deliver educational programs and technical assistance in various settings, including workshops, small group consultations, and online tools and resources.

Illinois Extension's mission is our broad and enduring purpose. University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state’s land grant institution.

Upcoming Webinars

2026 Corn Belt Ports Update | Feb. 12 at 12 PM | Register NOW

Prior to 2019, there were no U.S inland ports in the heart of the Corn Belt. Between 2020 and 2022, four new regional top-ranked Corn Belt Ports were created and federally recognized. They now handle nearly 100 million tons of freight. Since 2022, Corn Belt Ports have attracted over $2 billion in multimodal and natural infrastructure investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other funding sources. The recognition of the Corn Belt Ports has clearly enabled rural (downstate) Illinois to be more competitive for direct and indirect investment. Join us virtually for an overview of new investments and impacts, and for conversations around economic development for the Upper Mississippi Region. This will also include information on the inaugural meetings of the Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative (IRCTI) and the Green Marine Highway Initiative (GMHI), as well as other rural regional port initiatives.

Resilient Communities: Data Centers Part 3 Community Response | Feb. 24 | 12 PM

The Extension Community & Economic Development (CED) team is launching the year at full speed! January alone featured four high‑impact webinars for local officials and administrators across Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside Counties, as well as colleagues from across Illinois.

With more than 200 data centers now operating in Illinois (and more on the way), communities are feeling the effects of this fast-growing industry. This webinar series offers the chance to hear from experts who provide practical information to help local leaders and others understand the potential impacts of data-center development and make informed decisions about potential or ongoing development in their communities. We’re excited to highlight our collaborative webinar series on Data Centers, presented with the Extension Natural Resources, Energy & Environment team and the Prairie Rivers Institute. The first two sessions drew over 500 registrants, and the third installment arrives in late February—you won’t want to miss it.

Featured Programs

Title

Civic Engagement

These programs are leadership development programs focused on college readiness, building community leaders, financial literacy, and personal development.

Hometown Leaders My Hometown is Cool

Title

Local Government Education

Supporting leaders and communities as they tackle the complex challenges that arise on the path to building resilient, inclusive, and thriving communities.

Webinars

Title

Poverty Simulation

The poverty simulation helps to bridge that gap from misconception to understanding. Its intended purpose is to sensitize community participants to the stresses of living near the poverty line.

Explore

Title

Entrepreneurship

We offer programs designed to empower individuals on their small business journey. Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow, our resources help turn ideas into thriving small businesses.

More info