Blog Posts

Read article: Clean water costs money –⁠ Here's how communities calculate water rates
Clean water costs money –⁠ Here's how communities calculate water rates
Over a decade ago, I was sitting in a city council meeting in Illinois and on the agenda was a water rate increase. Over-pumping deep groundwater...
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Read article: Digital Navigator provided professional development for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists
Digital Navigator provided professional development for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists
Video conferencing may have seen a burst of use during recent years, but its popularity hasn’t waned much. Today, educational, social, and...
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Read article: Extension helps train community development professionals through national organization
Extension helps train community development professionals through national organization
The hallmark of any Extension program is the information shared be research-based and communicated in a manner that helps to drive change in a...
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Read article: Everything Local conference strengthens Illinois food supply chain
Everything Local conference strengthens Illinois food supply chain
Illinois producers and agribusiness leaders are increasingly seeking new opportunities to boost local food systems. Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB),...

News Releases

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Extension facilitates talks to address unhoused issues in Pekin
PEKIN, Ill - Homelessness is an increasing societal issue in every community in America today. Pekin is no exception to it either. The Pekin Downtown Main Street Merchants Association reached out to University of Illinois Extension for...

Videos

Transitioning Energy Economies: Rural Clean Energy (2023)

Co-hosts: University of Illinois Extension, Prairie Rivers Network, Just Transition Fund, USDA Rural Development

This webinar series will explore state and federal opportunities related to the energy transition, including clean energy programs, transportation electrification, and other...

Staff

Mark White

Mark White

Interim Assistant Dean and Program Leader, Community and Economic Development
Amanda Cole

Amanda Cole

Strategy, Planning and Implementation Assistant Director
Zachary Kennedy

Zachary Kennedy

Extension State Specialist, Community and Economic Development
Susan Odum

Susan Odum

Community and Economic Development Specialist