BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — For more than a century, Illinois Extension has worked side by side with communities to turn knowledge into action. Housed within the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, Illinois Extension is part of the nationwide Cooperative Extension network. Through Extension, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign responds to local needs and develops programs to make the state and its residents happier, healthier, safer, and more prosperous.
Illinois Extension in Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties recently published its 2025 Annual Impact Report, showcasing the impact made in 2025.
“Some call Extension the University’s best-kept secret, and that is most definitely a compliment,” said Marilu Andon, Illinois Extension county director serving Grundy, Kankakee, and Will counties. “When we are at our best, we’re so deeply woven into the communities we serve that many can’t separate us from those communities. Our impact shows up in everyday life — in the partnerships, programs, and people working together to strengthen communities across Illinois.”
Lifelong Learning, Lifelong Impact in 2025
In 2025, Illinois Extension delivered impact at scale directly in local communities, including:
- Nearly 70 people reached per day (25,447 in 2025)
- $353,772 value of volunteer time given
- 1,600 pounds of food donated
- 90+ local leaders received Local Government Education resources
- 45 partnerships related to SNAP-Ed
- Over 13,000 4-H experiences
- Over 2,000 4-H Fair Exhibits
While these statistics are impressive, the broader impact is even greater. Illinois Extension programs cross county lines, and the statewide picture is even more striking:
- 831k+ program attendees across the state
- 249 Educational Sessions per week (28k annually)
- 9.4M+ Webpage views
- A 1‑to‑10 economic return for communities
Lifelong Learning: It’s about the people
Behind the impact is a team of local experts dedicated to bringing Lifelong Impact to their communities. From youth development and agriculture education to community wellness and horticulture programming, this award-winning team delivers research-based knowledge directly to the public.
“Our team is vital to our work,” said Andon, “and our ability to make the footprint we do in communities is because they are working extremely hard directly in places that matter to them.”
In 2025, Illinois Extension highlighted this work through a series of staff spotlights featuring Janet Moody, Emilia Elabed, and Nancy Kuhajda.
Together, Illinois Extension’s work reflects the depth of its presence across Illinois communities and the relationships that make that impact possible.
Lifelong Impact: Lasting impact is more than the numbers
“While our impact numbers are impressive, we all know that they don’t tell the full story,” said Andon. “The real work is in the people we are able to reach because of our presence in the community. Our Annual Impact Report is full of these kinds of stories.”
One such story is that of Michael Galloway, who is on the front cover. A sixth-grade 4-H member, Galloway shares how working with his rabbits helped him find his voice, build confidence, and navigate challenges as a child with autism: “I really like the friends I made [in 4-H]. For example, I met a teenager at the 4-H fair who, when I was scared to stand up for the auction, told me she would make silly faces at me while I was up there to make me laugh and not be scared.”
“You just meet a lot of nice kids who don’t bully you in 4-H,” he said.
Another story highlights the lifelong impact of Extension programs is through the experience of Perry Harlow, who credits 4-H with shaping his path, both professionally and personally:
"4-H didn’t just teach me skills — it forged the courage to stand alone for what I believe in, a strength that has become my compass in every professional challenge I face. The confidence to be the lone voice of integrity in a room full of doubt is the greatest career asset 4-H ever gave me, and it’s the one that defines my leadership every single day."
Read the full impact in the newly published 2025 Annual Impact Report
The 2025 Annual Impact Report is available online and offers a deeper look at the people and partnerships driving change across Grundy, Kankakee and Will counties. Backed by an independent 10-to-1 return on investment, Extension creates lifelong learning by advancing one mission under one college to empower lifelong impact.
Download the report by visiting: go.illinois.edu/impactgkw.
These impacts mark significant progress toward the goals of Illinois Extension’s 10-year strategic plan, strengthening partnerships and expanding access to research-based knowledge across communities statewide. These impacts continue to fulfill its mission of extending knowledge, building partnerships, and supporting people, communities, and the environment as part of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's land-grant mission.
For information on how to give to Illinois Extension, both locally and statewide, visit go.illinois.edu/give-gkw.
SOURCES: Marilu Andon, County Director, Illinois Extension; Brooke Katcher, 4-H Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator, Illinois Extension.
WRITER: Anthony Warmack, Communications and Marketing Program Coordinator, Illinois Extension
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INTERVIEWS: Contact Anthony Warmack, warmacka@illinois.edu, to request specialist interviews.
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. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.