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Issues and Priorities

Learn about our current state priorities by reading the University of Illinois System 2023 State Legislative Agenda. Read about some of the U of I System initiatives:

PROSPER Illinois

An initiative led by the U of I System, PROSPER Illinois would offer new and expanding businesses the opportunity to operate on or near eligible university or college campuses across the state of Illinois. These zones would be connected to the Illinois Innovation Network and the Discovery Partners Institute. Benefits to companies: direct access to research expertise, state of the art facilities, and top tech talent in key industries. Benefits to the State: attract major corporations and growing startup companies, job creation and investments, tiered benefits to drive growth in economically distressed regions, talent retention and recruitment.

Discovery Partners Institute

The Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) is a purpose-driven, collaborative research institute located in Chicago that is focused on building prosperity and growing the state of Illinois’ workforce by creating solutions to grand challenges. It is led by the University of Illinois System, its three universities and partners.

Illinois Innovation Network

The Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) is a system of connected university-community-industry-based hubs throughout the state that will work together to drive innovation along with economic and workforce development across Illinois.

Hubs utilize a combination of research, public-private partnerships, entrepreneurship and workforce training programs to spur economic development in their region and across the state. IIN hubs both power and leverage the Chicago-based Discovery Partners Institute.