blog posts

• White House Honors UIC's Sivananthan

  May 29, 2013 1:30 pm19 views

  A UIC professor was honored as a "Champion of Change" at a White House event for immigrant entrepreneurs and innovators.

• VCR Peter Schiffer Visits NSF

  Sep 13, 2013 1:45 pm5 views

  During his trip to DC, VCR Peter Schiffer had a full slate of meetings at the National Science Foundation...

• UIUC Wins $1.4 Million UTC Grant

  Sep 26, 2013 1:00 pm2 views

  In a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National University Rail (NURail) Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was awarded a $1.4 million Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) grant.

• UIS Students Meet Rep. Schock

  Feb 26, 2013 1:30 pm2 views

  UIS students had the opportunity to meet Rep. Aaron Schock during a February visit to Washington.

• UI's IGPA Honors Former Senator Snowe

  Sep 25, 2013 1:00 pm2 views

  Yesterday, the University of Illinois’ Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) co-hosted the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government ceremony with Senator Dick Durbin.

• UIC Student Delegation Visits Capitol Hill

  Sep 20, 2013 1:45 pm6 views

  Earlier this week, UIC Student Trustee Danielle Leibowitz led a delegation of UIC students to Washington.

• TSC Releases Sparking Economic Growth 2.0

  Oct 29, 2013 2:00 pm7 views

  A new report entitled “Sparking Economic Growth 2.0” was released today by The Science Coalition (TSC), a national association comprised of public and private research universities...

• This Week in IL: Transportation Roundtable

  Sep 6, 2013 1:45 pm17 views

  This past Thursday, President Easter and Congressman Mike Quigley hosted a roundtable with a variety of transportation stakeholders to discuss sustainable transportation solutions for the Chicagoland area.

• This Week in IL: Sen. Durbin Visits UIUC

  Jul 25, 2013 1:45 pm1 views

  Earlier today, Senator Durbin visited the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. To kick off his visit, he held a press event to publicize the long-term deal that was reached on student loan interest rates...

• Senate Passes Student Loan Interest Rate Deal

  Jul 25, 2013 1:45 pm1 views

  Yesterday, the Senate took up an amended version of the House-passed "Smarter Solutions for Students Act," which reflects the compromise brokered by a bipartisan group of Senators.

• Senate Looks at Student Loan Interest Rate Bills

  Jun 6, 2013 1:30 pm2 views

  Can Congress reach a bipartisan compromise before the student loan interest rate doubles in July?

• Rep. Bustos & UI Issue Economic Report

  Nov 5, 2013 2:00 pm2 views

  This past August, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos hosted three regional meetings as part of her “Partnering for Illinois’ Economic Future” initiative...

• OGR Announces Staff Changes

  Feb 24, 2015 3:15 pm6 views

  I wanted to share with you the news that I am leaving the Office of Governmental Relations (OGR), effective this Friday, February 27. I will return to Capitol Hill next month...

• NCSA Leaders Champion Blue Waters

  May 8, 2013 1:30 pm5 views

  Two NCSA staff members visited DC recently to promote the use of Blue Waters, the Cray-based supercomputer in Champaign.

• House Approves Student Loan Interest Rate Bill

  Aug 1, 2013 1:45 pm5 views

  Yesterday evening, the House passed the final version of the student loan interest rate legislation with overwhelming support, by a vote of 392 to 31.

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.28.2015

  Sep 28, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  Following Pope Francis' historic visit to DC and address to Congress, breaking news erupted Friday morning that has since set the city spinning...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.27.2013

  Sep 27, 2013 1:00 pm3 views

  The end of the fiscal year is just days away, and there is no agreement in sight that would keep the government funded...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.26.2014

  Sep 26, 2014 3:45 pm4 views

  This week, another University of Illinois voice joined SCIENCE 2034, the national messaging initiative by The Science Coalition that looks 20 years into the future to predict what might be possible so long as the federal government sustains strong funding for basic scientific research...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.23.2016

  Sep 23, 2016 3:00 pm0 views

  Over the past week, the University of Illinois (U of I) System hosted three successful events involving high-ranking officials from the National Science Foundation (NSF), each with a different backdrop—the Urbana-Champaign campus, the Chicago campus, and Washington, DC...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.2.2016

  Sep 2, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  With Labor Day weekend upon us, Congress' seven-week summer recess is quickly coming to a close. All U.S. Senators and Representatives will return to DC next Tuesday for a short session before the election. Throughout the extended district work period, the University of Illinois (U of I) seized various opportunities to interface with legislators...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.19.2014

  Sep 19, 2014 3:45 pm2 views

  With the end of the fiscal year looming on September 30 and not a single appropriations bill signed into law, Congress took just enough action to avoid a government shutdown before the elections...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.1.2017

  Sep 1, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  The University of Illinois System leveraged a variety of opportunities throughout the August recess to interact with federal legislators...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 9.11.2015

  Sep 11, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  Congress returned from its month-long recess this week, and members immediately entered into a contentious debate over the Iran nuclear agreement...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 8.3.2015

  Aug 3, 2015 3:30 pm0 views

  After a short but packed week that included passage of a three-month authorization for federal highway and transit programs, the House officially adjourned for August recess last Wednesday night. The Senate will soon follow in the House's footsteps after wrapping up final votes this week...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 8.21.2015

  Aug 21, 2015 3:30 pm1 views

  With Congress in recess and Members back in their districts, University of Illinois campuses are seizing opportunities to meet with federal officials and host events...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 8.1.2014

  Aug 1, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  The final week of session before the August recess is always a frenetic time. This year marked no exception, with research and education priorities taking a backseat to pressing national crises. Pressure mounted on both the House and Senate...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.3.2014

  Jul 3, 2014 3:45 pm2 views

  Both chambers were out of session this week, but will return early next week. With last Thursday marking the one-year anniversary since the Senate passed its comprehensive immigration reform bill...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.25.2014

  Jul 25, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  Next week marks the final week before both chambers recess for the August work period. The focus: red meat for each party's base. The House is expected to take up its highly publicized lawsuit...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.2.2015

  Jul 2, 2015 3:30 pm1 views

  After being in session last week, Congress spent this week in a district work-period. Both the House and Senate will return in full force on Tuesday to consider appropriations and other matters...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.21.2017

  Jul 21, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  With August recess right around the corner, Republican leadership is hastening its pace to make progress on outstanding legislative items, particularly appropriations...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.18.2014

  Jul 18, 2014 3:45 pm4 views

  Both the House and the Senate will be in session next week. While the government remains funded until Sept. 30—the end of the fiscal year—only two legislative weeks remain before...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 7.17.2015

  Jul 17, 2015 3:30 pm3 views

  The University of Illinois was all over DC this week, as UI President Tim Killeen led 10 deans, associate chancellors, and other rising leaders from Chicago, Urbana, and Springfield to the nation's capital as part of a President's Executive Leadership Program. The program's DC seminar is designed to provide these senior level, campus-based administrators with greater exposure to federal issues and the federal policymaking process. They spent two full days meeting with the heads of national associations, top officials at federal agencies, the Illinois delegation, and local alumni...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.15.2016

  Jul 15, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  Congress has officially adjourned for its seven-week summer recess. Before heading back to their districts, lawmakers wrapped things up with some appropriations work and other legislative matters..

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 7.13.2015

  Jul 13, 2015 3:30 pm6 views

  With only three weeks remaining until August recess, Congress is hastening its pace to pass bills that will resonate well with constituents, including a medical innovation bill...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 7.11.2014

  Jul 11, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  The House was in session and considered a spending bill for energy and water programs as well as legislation to strengthen federal workforce development programs. The Senate was also in session...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.9.2017

  Jun 9, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  While much of the attention in Washington, D.C. this week revolved around the Senate hearing with former FBI Director James Comey, there were relevant budget hearings. This edition also features the University of Illinois System's recent engagement activities with legislators, both in D.C. and in Illinois...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.6.2014

  Jun 6, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  The House was in recess this week. The Senate was in session and confirmed Sylvia Burwell to be the next Health and Human Secretary by a surprisingly bipartisan vote, 78-17...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 6.5.2015

  Jun 5, 2015 3:30 pm1 views

  The House and Senate returned to DC this week. There was movement on two items of interest to universities: appropriations and patent reform...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.30.2017

  Jun 30, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  Both the House and the Senate were in session this week. Members of Congress will be back in their districts next week for the July 4th recess...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.27.2014

  Jun 27, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  Both chambers were in session this week. Members will remain in their districts next week for the 4th of July holiday. After an abundance of hearings, the House and Senate education committees...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.24.2016

  Jun 24, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  In this edition, several higher education bills are queued up for floor consideration, President Killeen speaks with our Illinois in Washington internship program, and UIS hosts its annual DC alumni event...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.23.2017

  Jun 23, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  In this edition, we recap the latest actions on the budget and health care reform, provide an update on Congressional attention on campus free speech, and feature some U of I representatives who were in D.C...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.20.2014

  Jun 20, 2014 3:45 pm2 views

  The House and Senate were both in session this week. While appropriations bills dominated the legislative agenda in both chambers, most of the oxygen on the Hill was squeezed out...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 6.19.2015

  Jun 19, 2015 3:30 pm1 views

  Although no appropriations bill made it to the House or Senate floor this week, there was ample movement at the committee level. University of Illinois President Tim Killeen was in DC to meet with other institution presidents and chancellors, as well as the leader of the the world’s largest general scientific society.

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.13.2014

  Jun 13, 2014 3:45 pm0 views

  President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats joined forces this week to elevate student debt as a top midterm pocketbook issue. On Monday, the president signed an executive order...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter- 6.12.2015

  Jun 12, 2015 3:30 pm4 views

  Both chambers were in session to deliberate appropriations and a major trade bill. However, Members took a quick break Thursday night to engage in a friendly game of baseball...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 6.10.2016

  Jun 10, 2016 3:45 pm0 views

  In this edition, Senate appropriators move forward a historically contentious funding bill, Sen. Durbin stands up for DOD-funded medical research, and UIC introduces its new leaders in DC...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 5.9.2014

  May 9, 2014 3:45 pm1 views

  Next week, the Senate will be in and will consider wind energy tax credits. The House will be in recess...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 5.30.2014

  May 30, 2014 3:45 pm4 views

  The House and Senate are both in session next week, with the Senate expected to take up student loan interest rate legislation...

• Federal Relations E-Newsletter - 5.26.2017

  May 26, 2017 4:00 pm0 views

  The Trump Administration released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 budget request on Tuesday. As expected, the request proposes a number of cuts to programs and accounts that are important to the research and higher ed communities. Our higher ed associations quickly expressed their concerns (APLU, AAU, The Science Coalition, AAAS) and the University of Illinois System signed onto a multi-organization letter expressing similar concerns...