Renewing Illinois Summit

Students talking during a breakout session

Student Group Session

2024 Renewing Illinois Summit participants

Former Ill. Governor Jim Edgar gives the keynote address

Our Renewing Illinois Summit brings together Illinois college students to discuss and debate creative solutions to revitalize the Prairie State.

The 2024 summit was held on SIU’s campus from October 24-25. The Summit drew over 70 students from 10 different institutions and included presentations by SIU System President Dan Mahony, Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons, historian Sam Wheeler and author Jim Nowlan while former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar delievered the keynote address. The 70-plus students in attendance heard from Mahony on the challenges that institutions of higher learning face and they later heard from Ammons on what she is proposing as a way to right-size the Illinois budget as it pertains to higher education. After that the students were led through a rousing rendition of the Illinois state song by Wheeler.

If you have any questions, please contact the Institute at paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.

2022 Summit

2020 Virtual Summit

We had planned to consider the One Illinois theme at our 2020 summit, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We invited Illinois General Assembly leadership to submit their perspectives on our guiding question: Is One Illinois a noble aspiration or impossible dream? We published those perspectives, along with historical and travel essays, in a Renewing Illinois Booklet.

We also created an Illinois 101 Recommended Reading List — a collection of essential reading to gain a deeper understanding of our state.

Download the 2020 Renewing Illinois Booklet.

2019 Summit

Our inaugural summit was held on March 28 and 29, 2019, with the theme Renewing Illinois: Ambitious Dreams and Practical Steps to Revive the Prairie State.

Thirty-five students from nine Illinois colleges and universities brought penetrating insights to create suggestions for reforms and renewal. Participants concluded that they see enormous potential here but are concerned Illinois has fallen into bad habits and has failed to position itself for the long-term. Read the 2019 Renewing Illinois Summit findings.

Download the 2019 Renewing Illinois Booklet.

Renewing Illinois Summit | Paul Simon Public Policy Institute | SIU

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