For Community Members
This 90‑minute interactive workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension, Lake County and led by Jessica Rudnick, PhD, helps Illinois residents make sense of what climate change means for our state today—and what we can do together to prepare for tomorrow. This session explores how climate change is already shaping daily life in Illinois communities. Participants will learn practical steps that individuals, organizations, and local leaders can take to strengthen resilience across the state.
What the program covers:
• How Illinoisans think about climate change—and why it matters
We’ll look at recent public opinion research to understand how people across the state view climate change, what they’re worried about, and how those perceptions influence everything from neighborhood-level engagement to statewide policy decisions.
We’ll look at recent public opinion research to understand how people across the state view climate change, what they’re worried about, and how those perceptions influence everything from neighborhood-level engagement to statewide policy decisions.
• Key insights from the Illinois Climate Vulnerability Assessment
Participants will get a clear, accessible overview of the major climate pressures facing Illinois, including rising temperatures, more frequent extreme rainfall, increased flooding, and shifts in ecosystems and agriculture. We’ll break down what these trends mean in practical terms for communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.
Participants will get a clear, accessible overview of the major climate pressures facing Illinois, including rising temperatures, more frequent extreme rainfall, increased flooding, and shifts in ecosystems and agriculture. We’ll break down what these trends mean in practical terms for communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.
• Localized climate risks for Northern Illinois and Lake County
We’ll explore the specific challenges facing Northern Illinois—such as stormwater management, public health impacts from heat, stress on water systems, and threats to natural resources.
We’ll explore the specific challenges facing Northern Illinois—such as stormwater management, public health impacts from heat, stress on water systems, and threats to natural resources.
• Stories of Illinois communities taking action
Across the state, communities are already experimenting with creative, community-driven approaches to resilience. We’ll highlight examples—from neighborhood cooling strategies to green infrastructure projects to cross-sector partnerships—that show what’s possible when residents, local governments, and organizations work together.
Across the state, communities are already experimenting with creative, community-driven approaches to resilience. We’ll highlight examples—from neighborhood cooling strategies to green infrastructure projects to cross-sector partnerships—that show what’s possible when residents, local governments, and organizations work together.
• Practical strategies for building resilience where we live, work, and play
The workshop closes with actionable ideas for individuals, workplaces, community groups, and local leaders. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of what resilience looks like at different scales—from backyard choices to organizational planning—and how collective action can reduce future risks while strengthening community well‑being.
The workshop closes with actionable ideas for individuals, workplaces, community groups, and local leaders. Participants will leave with a clearer sense of what resilience looks like at different scales—from backyard choices to organizational planning—and how collective action can reduce future risks while strengthening community well‑being.
About the presenter
Jessica Rudnick, PhD, is a Climate Resilience Specialist for Extension with ten years of experience in applied research, extension, and community engagement. Her work centers on community resilience, environmental decision‑making, and participatory governance, spanning topics such as agriculture, water quality, water supply management, ecosystem restoration, and pollution cleanup.
Jessica Rudnick, PhD, is a Climate Resilience Specialist for Extension with ten years of experience in applied research, extension, and community engagement. Her work centers on community resilience, environmental decision‑making, and participatory governance, spanning topics such as agriculture, water quality, water supply management, ecosystem restoration, and pollution cleanup.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact
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