Community and Economic Development (CED) programming helps community leaders, residents and their communities build capacity . . . to make timely and effective decisions, use information wisely, engage the entire community, and work together better.
We follow the Principles of Good Practice from the Community Development Society, as we develop and deliver programs across Illinois, to address current issues and community needs.
For more information about what Illinois Extension’s CED team can do, contact a team member in your area.
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LGE and Rural Partners to host Age Friendly Community models for rural Illinois
Opportunity Zones in Illinois to be highlighted on May 6 webinar
Rural Partners and LGE to examine local impacts of Trump-Biden transition at 100-day mark
Rural Partners and LGE host Illinois Housing Development Authority to discuss local needs
Webinar to highlight Farm Family Resource Initiative in six Illinois counties
Local Food Systems webinar aims to help communities improve economic situation, and health
Central Illinois communities convening on coal plant transition planning
Morton Housing Study exemplifies great housing strategies for Central Illinois
Local officials gain federal impact perspective in free session
CED collaboration celebrates Dr. King's legacy, vision
Local Government Education: Annual update on new legislation impacts
Green infrastructure can promote social justice, fight climate change
November webinar will cover election results and impact on rural America
UIS and UIC public administration experts on local government finance during and after the pandemic
Illinois Extension holds new workforce development event for Canton high school students
Pilot program grant to strengthen Illinois 'Southern Five' rural economies
New report shows UI Extension generates value 10 times its budget
CED Specialists on U.S. Census | Stand Up and Be Counted (SoundCloud)
Census deadline looms; response impacts funding, relief assistance
Extension reminds communities about federal funding for disaster relief
Illinois Extension’s Local Government Education program will welcome Citizen’s Utility Board, Elevate Energy, Ameren, and ComEd in a three-part webinar series on energy efficiency policy and programs
Illinois Extension Local Government Education Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) Webinar
Illinois Extension offers webinar on racial equity in local government
Scaling UP Illinois Restaurant Operations: Safety Considerations
COVID-19 Response: Local Government Cutback Budgeting Webinar
Guidance for local governments on OMA compliance
What's Next: legal challenges related to COVID-19 for local governments
Webinar offers best practices for disabilities in workforce development
Moving towards equitable transportation (case study)
Building an equitable and just green infrastructure strategy in the North Central Region
Greater Peoria Economic Development Strategy
Where Illinois Restaurants Stand by Sam Toia September 20, 2020
Business Reopening Tips Help Customers Feel Safe by Jennifer Russell August 26, 2020
Census 2020: Shaping the Future for Our Youth by Susan Odum August 25, 2020
Illinois Extension CED Coronovirus-19 Survey Results by Zach Kennedy and Steven Wald July 9, 2020
Farmers Are My Kinda People by Susan Odum June 17, 2020
Small Retailers Facing Big Decisions by Pam Schallhorn May 8, 2020
Supporting Local Business During Covid-19 by Russell Medley April 2, 2020
Sustainable Communities connects Illinois communities to University of Illinois scholars and students, bringing the latest research findings to decision-makers, and helping researchers understand and address Illinois' most pressing sustainability challenges.
Local Government Education (LGE)
Leadership academies, webinars, and workshops are designed to strengthen the skills and increase the leadership capacity of elected and appointed officials. The webinar series offers timely information on topics that are important to community leaders, decision makers, agency staff, and government officials.
Community Broadband Development
Informational sessions on funding opportunities, broadband development education, and community cohort planning sessions are delivered in partnership with the Illinois Office of Broadband and the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society. These resources help organizations and individuals plan, communicate, and build networks to enhance work towards their community broadband goals.
Communities can not only turn to state- and county-level data for decision-making; they can also learn from primary data collected right in their own community. This online tool provides information on how to survey your community, a repository of questionnaire templates that you can edit and modify to meet your needs, and information on where to find secondary data that could also help you think of additional questions to ask your community.
Illinois Extension helps counties and communities develop comprehensive economic development initiatives and engage in participatory planning processes.
Create Bridges is a two-year pilot program designed to strengthen the economy of a rural, economically distressed region by building capacity in the retail, accommodations, tourism and entertainment sectors.
Building Entrepreneurial Communities
Illinois Extension helps local officials and business leaders create economic development strategies and policies that support entrepreneurs and business development.