News
IIN Council Meeting Recap - April 9, 2026
Meeting highlights included:
- Council Meeting dates for 2026-27 were voted on and approved as follows:
- September 17, 2026
- November 19, 2026
- January 14, 2027
- March 18, 2027
- May 27, 2027
- Sonja Feist-Price and Erin Steva from Chicago State University presented on the CSU 95th Street Corridor project to help revitalize campus and solve a housing shortage.
- Todd Main from the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) discussed the Springboard challenge and the importance of finding innovative uses for soy beans domestically. The IIN is proud to partner with the ISA on SpringBoard, a program intended to spur innovative non-food uses for soybeans.
- IIN council officers Mike Bedell and Craig McLauchlan gave an overview of the IIN's strategic plan and framework, discussing the importance of how the IIN is making a difference for the people of Illinois.
- In the open discussion portion of the meeting, IIN's Ben Taylor discussed the IIN's renewed partnership with 1871 and the upcoming InnoVators pitch competition finals. IIN's Nikki Yagoda gave an update on the IIN Fellows Program.
The IIN council meets several times throughout the academic year to discuss initiatives and planning for the network and each of its 15 hubs. The next meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2026, and will be held virtually. Future IIN council meeting dates and past minutes can be found here.
