News Progress

•August 10, 2022•
On August 26, the 2022 high school football season in Illinois will be in full swing as the Friday Night Lights turn on throughout the Land of Lincoln. That means that concession stand grills will be also lighting up and the smell of pork chop sandwiches will soon be filling the air.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) are proud to announce the return of the Pork & Pigskins Championship, as the IHSA and IPPA team-up to find the state’s best concession stand pork chop sandwich for the second year in a row.
“Tradition, community, and amazing food are the ingredients that make-up the Pork & Pigskins Championship,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “The folks behind these grills volunteer their time and talent to support our high school students and their schools. We appreciate the Illinois Pork Producers Association helping bring their stories to light and providing recognition to these worthy individuals who serve their communities and also cook a mean pork chop sandwich.” Read More

•August 10, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today the Department has issued a letter to all federal student loan servicers encouraging them to immediately implement best practices to help alert and educate eligible student loan holders about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. As the primary contact for many student loan borrowers, servicers are in the best position to increase awareness about PSLF and help borrowers take advantage of the program. Read More

•August 10, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Our lives are bombarded with negativity, stress, and countless threats to our emotional well-being, work, and closest relationships. In the past, it was suggested that if we focused more and worked harder, we would be more successful, and then experience more happiness. But new research shows that when we experience happiness and positivity first, it turns on all the learning centers in the brain and fuels positive outcomes in all aspects of our lives. In fact, research shows that more happiness and positivity cause us to be three times more creative, 23% less fatigued and 31% more productive. (Wharton, 2014) Read More

•August 10, 2022•
by Judy Mae Bingman
University of Illinois Extension Marketing and Communications Manager

Managing land resources is a competing balance of environmental, economic, social, and life-sustaining issues in an ever-changing and ever-growing world. Land improvement practices play a key role in sustainable land management.
University of Illinois Extension and the Illinois Land Improvement Contractors Association are offering a three-day workshop Aug. 16 to 18 at Richland Community College in Decatur. This hands-on, comprehensive training will provide contractors all the tools necessary to design and implement subsurface drainage practices. Read More

•August 10, 2022•
by Judy Mae Bingman
Illinois Extension Marketing and Communication Manager

Doug Harlan’s leadership has guided University of Illinois Extension staff in central Illinois for more than 20 years. Now, Harlan will oversee Extension programs in the state’s lower 48 central and southern counties, serving as Extension assistant director for the 100+-year organization.
Extension has a local presence in every Illinois county, allowing it to seamlessly link communities, businesses, and the public to the innovative research of the university and its partners. A regional network provides support for the organization’s 650 staff members.
Doug Harlan Read More