Home of the Illinois State Scientific Surveys

Executive Director Shilts

A Message from Executive Director Bill Shilts


The Prairie Research Institute is a substantial, unique, and highly strategic asset for the state of Illinois. The Illinois State Scientific Surveys’ high-impact applied research and service continues to expand at a brisk pace, our grant and contract funding more than doubling over the past three years. During the same period, the Institute’s overall budget grew more than 50 percent, to nearly $80 million. We employ over 1000 people, and our scientists attract $4 in outside funding for every dollar received in our state appropriation.

The Institute’s annual expenditures are a significant contribution to the Illinois economy, but our impact and reach far exceed this. Our people and innovative projects put the state on sound footing to manage, adapt to, and even profit from the increasing pace of global change. Whether we are locating a secure, sustainable water supply for the collar counties of Chicago, protecting southern Illinois communities from flood losses, or demonstrating the Illinois Basin’s vast capacity to sequester carbon, the Prairie Research Institute continues to innovate and discover solutions that help keep the state’s economy, environment, and people prosperous and secure.

The Institute has long been a vital resource to the state of Illinois and to local governments, who rely on our scientists to provide expert advice and analysis on resource issues. With recent cutbacks in staff and budgets in Springfield, the Scientific Surveys have become more important than ever to many state agencies.

Our role and relationship with the University of Illinois continues to grow and deepen as well. We have seen growing collaboration and partnerships between our scientific staff and faculty that extend to all aspects of our collective work: research, grants, and publications; shared facilities, equipment, and data; seminars, colloquia, and lectures; and teaching, advising, and student employment. Many of our senior scientists ... read more of Executive Director Shilts' message


Scientific Surveys

Illinois Natural History Survey Building

Illinois Natural History Survey

Since 1858, the INHS has been the guardian and recorder of the biological resources of Illinois — the State's biological memory. With a staff of over 200 scientists and technicians, it is recognized as the premier natural history survey in the nation.

Illinois  State Archaeological Survey Building

Illinois State Archaeological Survey

Formed February 1, 2010 as a new Division in the Prairie Research Institute, ISAS investigates, protects, preserves and interprets the rich archaeological heritage of Illinois through ITARP, the ATAM program, education, and outreach to meet long-term public needs. Drawing on more than eighty years of research at the University of Illinois, ISAS documents and preserves cultural resources within the context of sustainable economic development. The ISAS has worked with other Divisions of the Institute, in particular the Illinois State Geological Survey and the Illinois Natural History Survey, for more than twenty years on transportation and other development projects throughout Illinois.

Illinois State Geological Survey Building

Illinois State Geological Survey

The ISGS is a premier State Geological Survey serving the needs of Illinois with earth science information relevant to the State's environmental quality, economic vitality, and public safety. Some 200 scientists and technical support staff conduct basic and applied research in geology, compile geologic maps, and gather and manage the state's geological data.

Illinois State Water Survey Campus

Illinois State Water Survey

The ISWS has flourished for more than a century by anticipating and responding to new challenges and opportunities to serve the citizens of Illinois. Today, the ISWS continues to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by developing new programs, while continuing to provide long-standing services upon which Illinoisans have come to rely.

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center Building

Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

ISTC is a change agency that performs research, spreads awareness, and facilitates implementation regarding practices, technology and systems that improve sustainability. The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (formerly the Waste Management and Research Center) has been providing assistance to Illinois businesses and the public since 1985.

History of the Scientific Surveys and ISTC


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2011 Institute Annual
Report now available online.


For a printed copy please contact Angie Wisehart.

                                  2010 Annual Report


FY2011 Institute Publications now available online.


Prairie Research Institute News

From the Daily Illini, March 11, 2012...
      UI Hosts 4th annual Naturally Illinois Expo

From the News-Gazette, March 9, 2012...
      Naturally Illinois Expo 2012

From the Daily Illini, December 2, 2011...
      Hogan praises legislators for supporting Prairie Research Institute

Message from President Hogan, November 30, 2011...
      Prairie Research Institute Funding

From the News-Gazette, November 30, 2011...
      Legislature finishes fixes to state budget

From the Herald-Review, November 18, 2011...
      Sequestration project at ADM showing early success

Press Release from the Institute, November 17, 2011...
      ISGS-Led Consortium Begins Injection of CO2 for Storage at the Illinois Basin - Decatur Project

From the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, University of Illinois, October 31, 2011 (see page 17)...
      2011 Inclusive Illinois Report

From the Daily Illini, October 24, 2011...
      All About Abbott: Campus Plant Clearing the Air

From the Daily Illini, October 6, 2011...
      ExxonMobile executive talks alternative energy at UI

More Institute News

INHS News       ISAS News       ISGS News
ISWS News       ISTC News


Events, Lectures, Seminars

Prairie Research Institute Event Calendar

2012 Naturally Illinois Expo logo


      Photos from the 2011 Expo
      Photos from the 2010 Expo


Naturally Illinois Expo and Institute Lecture Series Donors

2011 Earth, Wind, and Fire Run and Walk logo

2012 Earth, Wind, and Fire Run and Walk




  Updated 04/26/12 AW

PRAIRIE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
William W. Shilts, Executive Director
615 E. Peabody Drive, MC-650
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: 217-333-5111
Fax: 217-265-4678
prairie@illinois.edu

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