Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs

05/28/2026

Congratulations to the Master of Arts, Community and Economic Development, graduates of 2026!

Learn more about the Master's program at Western Illinois University here>>>https://www.wiu.edu/IIRA/community_and_economic_development/

05/07/2026

The Rural Transit Assistance Center new podcast explores challenges and solutions in rural transportation.

Learn more about Rural Transit Assistance Center >>>>https://iira.org/rtac/

A WIU podcast is shining a light on the creative ways communities are overcoming rural transit issues.

05/06/2026

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is pleased to announce its Request for Applications (RFA) for Round 3 of the Strong Communities Program (SCP).

SCP grants funds to municipalities, counties, and land banks to address affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts. SCP will return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use through rehabilitation and provide funds for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impacting neighboring residences, preparing them for future development. SCP will increase property values, create jobs, help reduce crime, generate additional tax revenue, and attract further community investment. By enabling greater revitalization opportunities, SCP will preserve existing affordable housing stock that is often in city centers and in proximity to community amenities (schools, parks, medical facilities, shopping, jobs, and transportation).

Eligible applicants for SCP must be a unit of local government located in the State of Illinois. A county or municipality may join with other counties/municipalities and submit a single application (Land Banks and Regional Planning Commissions are eligible to apply on behalf of units of local government applicants). Each county/municipality may only apply once per funding round.

click here for more information>>>>https://www.ihda.org/my-community/revitalization-programs/

04/29/2026

Save the Date!

04/27/2026

Western Illinois University is hiring: Director of Sponsor Projects.

Click here to review the job description>>>https://wiu.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=199111

04/21/2026

IL Researcher Calls for Investment in Rural Life, Not Just Farms

Christopher Merrett, director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, explained there is a critical connection between agriculture and other industries, and lawmakers must consider rural communities as a whole.

Listen here>>>>https://www.krcu.org/news/2026-04-14/il-researcher-calls-for-investment-in-rural-life-not-just-farms

04/20/2026

The Rural Transit Assistance Center (RTAC), housed within Western Illinois University's Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and made possible with support from the Illinois Department of Transportation, has launched Rolling Rural: A Rural Transit Assistance Center Podcast, a new initiative highlighting successes in rural transit. The podcast aims to increase awareness of the importance of public transportation in rural communities while amplifying the voices of professionals working to improve rural transit systems.

This initiative focuses on engaging rural transit leaders across Illinois to better understand their experiences, challenges and needs related to rural transportation. By sharing these perspectives, the podcast emphasizes the critical role rural transit plays in connecting individuals to employment, healthcare, education and essential services.

Rolling Rural features conversations with transit leaders from across the state, showcasing their work, the obstacles they encounter and the innovative solutions they are implementing to improve access and mobility in their communities.

The podcast is available in both video and audio formats. Episodes can be viewed on YouTube, while audio versions are accessible on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio. New episodes will be released monthly.

For additional rural transit resources, training opportunities and upcoming events, visit the RTAC website at iira.org/rtac/.

https://youtu.be/Ecm1tmNTGVI?si=w5feKTpmViQAYyWl

1 like. "ROLLING RURAL: A Podcast from the Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center. Episode 1"

04/17/2026

The Office of the Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton is excited to announce the launch of the “Illinois to America: Stories that Shape Us” student essay contest for America’s 250th Anniversary. This contest is open to students in 6th-12th grade.
Winners will have their essays displayed in the Lt. Governor’s Chicago and Springfield offices and highlighted at the Lt. Governor’s tent at the state fair. In addition, they will receive a letter, certificate, and Challenge Coin from the Lieutenant Governor. There may also be some special surprises!
The contest is open from April 13th through 11:59pm CST on May 31st. Winners will be announced on July 4th.

Here is the link to the contest website: https://ltgov.illinois.gov/il250.html

04/16/2026

Teen Vaccinations in Illinois

According to the CDC, at least 20% of teens can be categorized as vaccine-hesitant segment for the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV). This paper explored the concept of vaccine hesitancy among teens in Illinois using data from the National Immunization Survey, 2024. Statistical analysis shows that Illinois scores above the nation in vaccine hesitancy for HPV, Meningitis, and Tetanus shots; sexually inactive teens are unlikely to get HPV shots.

Read More>>>https://iira.org/publications/

04/13/2026

REGISTER TO ATTEND
MIDWEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
AUGUST 10 - 13, 2026

We are pleased to announce that Midwest CDI is scheduled for August 10 - 13, 2026, at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois.

Registrations before June 30 are discounted by $50.00. Please register soon to receive the early bird rate!
Lunch will be provided to all trainee attendees Monday through Wednesday.

Click here for more information: https://iira.org/conferences-trainings-and-workshops/midwest-community-development-institute/