News Releases

COVID creates shortage of PPE for pesticide applicators
The shortage of personal protection equipment (PPE) extends beyond medical staff and first responders. Pesticide applicators are struggling to find the equipment required by law. Sales of respirators, face shields, and N95 face masks are being directed to health care and front-line workers,...

Connecting Illinois through statewide broadband access; webinar outlines community solutions
URBANA, Ill. - There's still time to join the discussion of Illinois' broadband expansion efforts. Three sessions remain in the Developing Broadband Leadership webinar series designed...

Know your health insurance options if you lose your job
URBANA, Ill. - With businesses shutting down temporarily or scaling back staff, employees should consider the impact of layoffs on their health insurance coverage before their existing coverage ends to ensure there are no gaps in your coverage. "Health care coverage is critical...

Uncover secrets of the environment
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4-H offers STEM challenges that can be done from home
ST. CHARLES – Put those building bricks, recyclables and other items lying around the house to good use, get techy on your computer or tablet, or explore your backyard or neighborhood with DuPage, Kane and Kendall County 4-H’s free Stay-at-Home STEM Challenges. “These weekly challenges...

Are murder hornets here in Illinois; not likely
URBANA, Ill. - There has been a recent surge of interest in an invasive insect pest, the Asian Giant Hornet (AGH), or Vespa mandarinia. AGHs are the largest hornets in the world and are identifiable by their size and distinct bright yellow or orange heads. While well known for their large...

Resiliency resource for struggling Illinois economies
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Farmers struggle with processing plant closures; What COVID-19 means for your dinner table
URBANA, Ill. – Headlines about dairy farms dumping milk and livestock being euthanized are a sharp contrast to empty meat cases. The novel coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the nation’s food supply chain, resulting in increased prices for panicked shoppers and major losses for Illinois farmers...

Extension continues transition to online webinars, 4-H shows, events
URBANA, Ill. – As Illinois residents contemplate the impact of the coronavirus health pandemic on summer plans, University of Illinois Extension has released updated guidelines for Extension sponsored events and activities. The new guidelines continue to focus on the safety of event participants...

Farmers needed for paid cover crop trial
URBANA, Ill. - Illinois farmers willing to participate in a paid cover crop demonstration trial are needed beginning in fall 2020. Participation is now open.  The Illinois Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program partners with university researchers and...

Document family history with free writing workshop
URBANA, Ill. – Family stories are gifts from one generation to the next. Keep those stories alive with a little help from the Life’s Moments - From Memory to Legacy writing workshop launching May 5. In this fun and interactive virtual series, the University of Illinois Extension...

Illinois Extension presses forward with planning for summer 4-H shows
URBANA, Ill. – As public health and government officials consider the next phase of managing the Coronavirus pandemic in Illinois, organizers of traditional summer events and activities are considering options. University of Illinois Extension, the...

Illinois Extension Offers Many Resources for Families, Businesses, Farmers and Community Leaders to Navigate through the COVID-19 Pandemic
(MILAN, Ill) University of Illinois Extension has as put together a large array of resources to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include online classes, websites, YouTube channels, blogs, and quick links to resources with topics of interest to serve families, farmers,...

Improve your gardens: Four Seasons webinar offers tips
URBANA, Ill. - Extend the beauty and productivity of this year's garden. University of Illinois Extension horticulture experts have added five new offerings to the popular Four Seasons Gardening ...

Understanding the truths of autism
URBANA, Ill. - The myths surrounding autism often overshadow the truths. Leading University of Illinois experts will provide insight into what autism is as they debunk myths during an online webinar from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7....

Improve your health at home: Online Webinar
URBANA, Ill. - Staying healthy can be a challenge, especially as more of our time is spent at home. Learn healthful strategies for enriching your wellness journey over the next two months that can change your life. Free online webinars offered by ...

Practical community management practices for ticks and mosquitoes
URBANA, Ill. - Communities face challenges in the best practices to battle ticks and mosquitoes. Holly Tuten, associate scientist in vector ecology from the Illinois Natural History Survey, will provide...

Six County Fast Pitch Competition postponed. Applications to compete still being accepted.
The Six County Entrepreneurial Support Network (ESN) has made the tough decision to postpone the May 12, 2020, Six County Fast Pitch Competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  While we hope that our communities will be back to normal operations by that time, we want to ensure that all of...

Illinois Extension Legislative Education Webinar March 20 will cover Illinois Broadband Infastructure Funding
On Friday, March 20 (2PM CST), Illinois Extension will partner with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to offer Local Government Education webinar Connect Illinois – Broadband Infrastructure Funding: Pt. 4 - Budget Template and more (including grant period...

Legislative Education Webinar Thursday, March 26 (12PM CST) – Preparing for Extreme Weather
(ILLINOIS) Please join Illinois Extension on Thursday, March 26, at 12PM (Central time) for an important webinar for local officials, community partners, and professionals across the Illinois. Our current State Climatologist, Trent Ford, will discuss the science and impacts of climate change as...