2026 Leadership State Tour

September 22–25, 2026 · 12 stops across Illinois

Four days, 12 stops, one mission: celebrate the communities that make Illinois what it is, explore opportunities to deepen the U of I System's investment in the state's future.

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Where the tour takes us, one day at a time

Twelve stops in four days: new places, new voices, and a chance to explore what we can do together to strengthen our state. We'll post each day's stops here at the end of the day, with photos and the story behind each one. Check back nightly, or follow along on social.

Day 1 · Tuesday, Sept. 22

University Club of Chicago

Chicago · 9/22

Kennedy-King College

Chicago · 9/22

Lindblom Math and Science Academy

Chicago · 9/22

Obama Presidential Center

Chicago · 9/22

Day 2 · Wednesday, Sept. 23

Southland College Prep

Richton Park · 9/23

WTVP

Peoria · 9/23

Distillery Labs

Peoria · 9/23

Day 3 · Thursday, Sept. 24

North Mac High School

Virden · 9/24

Metro East

Metro East · 9/24

Eckert's Cider Shed

Belleville · 9/24

Day 4 · Friday, Sept. 25

Stops posted Friday evening

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Friday photos coming soon

Check back Friday evening as the 2026 tour wraps up its final stops across Illinois.

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On the agenda at every stop

What the U of I System brings to Illinois

Economic Impact

$24.9B

Into the Illinois economy every year, supporting more than 225,000 jobs and returning nearly $4 for every $1 the state invests.

See our impact

Access & Affordability

Opening the door wider

Eligible Illinois students from families earning $75,000 or less pay no tuition or fees at any of our three universities, through Illinois Commitment, UIC Aspire and Prairie Promise.

See how we keep costs down

Health

1.5 million

Patient visits a year at UIC’s UI Health, the state's largest public healthcare provider. And we train more health professionals than any institution in Illinois.

See our impact on health

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