Illinois Innovation Network — The NIU Hub: Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability In one of the largest innovation and economic development incentives in state history, Illinois lawmakers have designated $500 million to create a statewide innovation cooperative. Led by the University of Illinois, the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) will connect research and innovation hubs throughout the state, anchored by a large complex in Chicago’s South Loop. IIN is focused on 21st century global issues such as food, health and climate change, and will facilitate collaboration with many domestic and international partners. Northern Illinois University is among the first public institutions of higher education to express formal interest in joining IIN. In October 2018, NIU held a joint news conference with the University of Illinois and Governor Bruce Rauner to announce a DeKalb-based hub that will focus on two of IIN’s major themes: food and agriculture, and environment and water. The Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS) will be constructed on NIU’s west campus. About two-thirds of the new building’s cost, or $15 million, will be financed from the $500 million in state capital funding approved last spring to launch the innovation network. NIU will provide the remaining $7.9 million through in-kind contributions, private investment and donations. The facility is targeted for opening in fall 2021.
NICCS will focus on three large areas: • Food systems innovation: Illinois produces only 4 percent of its own food. Research and experimentation with new methods of food production (including networks of urban gardens) will lead to a more sustainable statewide food system. As with all IIN programs, the food systems project will be multidisciplinary and will involve both American and international partners. The Colleges of Engineering and Engineering Technology and Business, for example, will work with other NIU colleges and the U of I’s College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Services to develop software and robotics for the agricultural industry, as well as more efficient engines, lighting and supply chain management practices. Other national and international collaborations will be made possible through virtual research connections. • Water resources management: With global population numbers expected to rise to nearly 10 billion by 2050, the use of fresh water for agriculture, industry and personal consumption is unsustainable. NIU faculty and students will
collaborate with IIN partners across the state and around the world to develop and promote sustainable management of water systems. • Climate change adaptation: NICCS scholars and innovators will address the challenges of climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme weather incidents. Research areas will include biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and environmental maintenance. Building on more than 20 years of direct work with weather-sensitive, decision-making in agriculture, energy, transportation, insurance and recreation sectors, NIU experts and their partners will develop new decision support tools for use by officials across the country and around the world. All NICCS initiatives will be supported by multidisciplinary teams that cross many NIU academic areas. For example, NICCS work on environmental issues will be supported by an allied policy institute to recast research findings into policy options for local communities. Similarly, NIU plans to establish an environmental law clinic to help students gain real-world experience representing people whose health, safety and welfare are directly affected by environmental issues.
NICCS: Immediate and long-term impacts in Illinois and beyond: • Much-needed catalytic development brought to the region creating jobs, businesses, ecotourism and encouraging local investment. • Northern Illinois’ history of agricultural leadership exploited; IIN partnerships help create “agricultural corridor” in northern Illinois. • Environmental sustainability focus creates economic engine for Illinois as emerging environmental sustainability companies are attracted to region. • International scholarship and visibility brought to Illinois in important research areas with global implications. • Combining cutting-edge research with policy development helps community leaders plan for change and address current community issues. • Students gain knowledge and experience in high-demand areas with great career potential.