The University of Illinois System advocacy team engages alumni, students, faculty, staff and supporters to advocate for greater governmental support in coordination with governmental relations staff across the system, as well as the alumni networks for the three universities.
Through the Illinois Connection legislative advocacy network, advocacy leaders with External Relations and Communications rally supporters to help increase awareness and understanding of the U of I System's positive impact on the state, nation and world and advocate on the system's behalf to secure necessary resources and help ensure the system's legacy and longevity.
Advocacy, along with federal, state and local relations, offers leadership, coordination and resources to the universities, colleges and units across the system to assist in their advocacy efforts.
Major projects coordinated by the advocacy team include:
- Annual state and federal advocacy days with alumni and students
- Small-group advocacy days in Springfield
- In-district meetings and events to engage alumni with state and federal legislators
- Call-to-action email and phone campaigns to engage alumni on state and federal issues