Community Development Blogs | Illinois Extension

Richard Proffer attains two national certifications

July 21, 2026

Richard Proffer, Community & Economic Development educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties, has recently received a new nationally recognized certification, Rural Grocery Transition Specialist, to add to his list of professional accomplishments and has been recertified as a...

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Peoria Afterschool Networking Group brings together community agencies to support local youth and families

June 16, 2026

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A strong network of youth-serving organizations can make a lasting difference for young people and families. In Peoria, the collaborative Peoria Afterschool Networking Group is doing just that by bringing together out-of-school-time agencies to connect, share ideas, and strengthen programming...

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Manito Revive & Thrive community meetings makes for village revitalization

March 12, 2026

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What began as a simple phone call from Jerald Schier, Manito village trustee, in Spring 2024 grew into a community effort to revitalize the town. Manito Revive and Thrive community meetings were a catalyst for the village’s new strategic plan. Local...

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Elmwood gears up for increased tourism with Illinois Extension

August 20, 2025

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Elmwood is a small town in west central Peoria County, with a population close to 2,000 people. It has a wealth of cultural arts and natural assets that attract tourists. Students in the Sustainability and Rural Tourism course in the University of Illinois Department of Recreation, Sport, and...

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Shaping Responsible Digital Citizens: Digital Navigator leads online safety presentation to students

May 2, 2025

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“Is it safer to play single-player games online than multi-player games?” “What is the purpose of parental controls on devices? Are they keeping us safer?”“So, is social media only bad for us?”These were some of the questions Abi Amstutz-Spencer, ...

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Local communities gain awareness of state funding sources at Extension program

May 2, 2025

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No matter the size of the community, there are always projects that need addressed. And many times, those projects are also in need of funding sources. A recent meeting facilitated by University of Illinois Extension helped community leaders connect with three state funding sources.“As I work with...

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Digital Navigator provided professional development for Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists

March 24, 2025

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Video conferencing may have seen a burst of use during recent years, but its popularity hasn’t waned much. Today, educational, social, and professional opportunities frequently rely on video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meets. Local University of Illinois Extension...

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Extension facilitates talks to address unhoused issues in Pekin

November 19, 2024

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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 help in...

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New webinar series launched for small business owners

May 13, 2024

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Small businesses form the backbone of Illinois’ economy, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. With this in mind, a team from University of Illinois Extension, together with the Illinois Small...

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Extension helps train community development professionals through national organization

February 14, 2024

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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 community. Richard Proffer, University of Illinois Extension community &...

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