Illinois Innovation Network

Checkout all the latest IIN news and hub-related events! 📰 IIN Newsletter 2026 Q1: emails.uofi.uillinois.edu/newsletter/42/…

On February 27, the University of Illinois System closed on its purchase of 250 S. Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago to serve as the permanent headquarters of the Discovery Partners Institute led by the @UofIllinois. 🌇 Learn more 🔽 news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/5379…

Congratulations to @IllinoisStateIT #RedbirdScholars Dr. Abdelmounaam Rezgui & Dr. Elahe Javadi, whose research team received seed funding from @ILInnoNetwork for a project focused on AI-powered personalized learning for neurodivergent students. @ISUSciTech news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/8034…

The @ILInnoNetwork's Social Innovation and Impact Seed Grant program awarded over $160,000 to two new projects. 🌱 💡 personalizing learning for neurodivergent students 👴 enhancing social support for older adults in Illinois Learn more: ow.ly/T8HV50Y1iM1

(IIN) recently announced a 16-month Fellows Program, a career development program designed to support & recognize exceptional work and projects by key IIN contributors. Application deadline is 2/16. Click for more info & link to apply: @ILInnoNetwork" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">iin.uillinois.edu/illinois-innov…

We showed global leaders the full Illinois experience during the Americas Competitiveness Exchange—from feeding the world to harnessing technology. ACE yielded the most agreements for future projects and partnerships in its history. #SystemStories2025 ow.ly/lhvB50XL0cv

The Cairo Historical Preservation Project has launched The Heritage Trail and Oral History Project, an interactive experience meant to showcase the cultural history of Cairo, Illinois. wpsdlocal6.com/news/cairo-sho…

The @UofILSystem’s Annual State Leadership Tour is rolling across Illinois this week, with strong VPEDI representation with Jay Walsh, Jeannette Tamayo, Jisu Hong, and Ben Taylor attending stops at @OlneyCentral, Woodlawn, @Heartland_CC & @OSFHealthCare thus far.

A leader in the EV industry, @Rivian partners with the U of I System, @Heartland_CC & @ILInnoNetwork to strengthen the manufacturing talent pipeline. Advocating for policy and support for workforce and job training programs, we fortify the area’s growing economy. #UofILStateTour

We were blown away by Anthony's assisted delivery tool when he presented at @Falling_Walls Lab Illinois. We wish him the best of luck at the international #FallingWallsLab finale in Berlin, Germany, in early November! 👏

🩺 2025 Innovator of the Year: An #ILLINOISmed student has earned the title for the creation of a new assisted delivery tool to make difficult births safer for mothers and babies. ➡️ medicine.illinois.edu/news/ci-med-st… 🔶 #PhysicianInnovator #ILLINOIS 🔷 @UofIllinois @CarleHealth

At the @ILInnoNetwork's Sustainability & Social Innovation Research Conference our Assoc. Dir. Todd Rusk hosted a panel on Sustainable Building Infrastructure with our partners: the @IllinoisEPA Office of Energy, the IL Green Economy Network, @IDOT_Illinois & NIU researchers.

It was great to meet other colleges at the @ILInnoNetwork Council meeting yesterday at Innovation Springfield! After our Assoc. Dir. Todd Rusk introduced us to the Council, we look forward to exploring how we can support IL college & economic dev. initiatives. @vpedi_illinois

There was a changing of the guard at today’s IIN Council meeting as Chris Merrett officially began his tenure as IIN Council Chair. Outgoing chair Denise Cobb was thanked for her leadership and coordination throughout her tenure. Congrats, Chris, and thank you, Denise! 👏👏

Join us at the @ILInnoNetwork Sustainability Research & Social Innovation Conference, 9/25-9/26 at Northern Illinois Univ. where we will host a panel on sustainable infrastructure. Check out our panel & the other great speakers & events! niu.edu/niccs/join-us/…

Anthony Wong, a @illinoismed student, won last week's @Falling_Walls Lab Illinois competition (presented by @ILInnoNetwork) with “Breaking the Wall of Safer Childbirth,” in which he shared his team’s novel device to assist with difficult births. 🏆 news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/2003…

Want to learn more about exciting, new sustainability and social innovation projects? Join @ILInnoNetwork in DeKalb later this month at the 2025 Sustainability and Social Innovation Research Conference! More info: ow.ly/Xarf50WQC3f Register: ow.ly/ca0Y50WQC3g

Our colleagues from the @ILInnoNetwork are holding the Innovation Research Conference at @NIUlive on 9-25-26. This forum gives students, faculty and real-world innovators time to "discuss and learn about sustainability- & social innovation.” For more: iin.uillinois.edu/conference/

The new Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park won't just house breakthroughs in computing speed and applications. It'll do that as a thoughtful steward of Lake Michigan, using advanced treatment techniques for the goal of creating zero water waste. 🌅 circleofblue.org/2025/technolog…

We’re thrilled about the opportunities that we, our partners & clients now have with our move to VPEDI, which will strengthen our client services, connect us with new initiatives & expand our work to the entire state of Illinois. Learn more here: smartenergy.illinois.edu/energysense-re…