Ready & Resilient: Practical Climate Strategies for Illinois Municipalities
April 21, 2026
1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
U of I Extension Office, Lake County
100 South US Highway 45 Grayslake, IL 60073
Illinois communities are already seeing the effects of a changing climate—heavier rains, more frequent flooding, hotter summers, shifting seasons, and added strain on local infrastructure. To help local governments prepare, University of Illinois Extension in Lake County is hosting an interactive workshop designed for municipal leaders who want practical tools to strengthen community resilience now and in the years ahead.
1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
U of I Extension Office, Lake County
100 South US Highway 45 Grayslake, IL 60073
Illinois communities are already seeing the effects of a changing climate—heavier rains, more frequent flooding, hotter summers, shifting seasons, and added strain on local infrastructure. To help local governments prepare, University of Illinois Extension in Lake County is hosting an interactive workshop designed for municipal leaders who want practical tools to strengthen community resilience now and in the years ahead.
This two‑hour session is geared toward elected officials, community leaders, and public employees. Participants will walk away with:
- A grounded understanding of current Midwest and Illinois climate projections and what conditions municipalities should anticipate in the coming decades.
- An overview of leading state and local policy approaches across Illinois, including resilience planning, clean energy efforts, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, hazard mitigation, public education, and green infrastructure and restoration work.
- Core skills for community‑driven adaptation planning, with a focus on equitable and participatory approaches.
- Real‑world examples from Illinois and beyond that show what effective, local‑scale resilience work looks like in practice.
- Hands‑on exercises to help identify resilience needs, opportunities, and next steps within participants’ own communities.
About the presenter
Jessica Rudnick, PhD, is a Climate Resilience Specialist for Extension with ten years of experience in applied research, extension, and community engagement. Her work centers on community resilience, environmental decision‑making, and participatory governance, spanning topics such as agriculture, water quality, water supply management, ecosystem restoration, and pollution cleanup.
Jessica Rudnick, PhD, is a Climate Resilience Specialist for Extension with ten years of experience in applied research, extension, and community engagement. Her work centers on community resilience, environmental decision‑making, and participatory governance, spanning topics such as agriculture, water quality, water supply management, ecosystem restoration, and pollution cleanup.
Rudnick is known for building strong partnerships with community leaders and stakeholders to co‑develop solutions to complex environmental challenges. Before joining Illinois Extension, she served as a Research Social Scientist with the U.S. Forest Service in Chicago, where she studied community‑led stewardship and governance around the Great Lakes. She also worked as a Social Science Extension Specialist with NOAA California Sea Grant, focusing on integrating human well‑being into social‑ecological system management.
Contact the Extension Office if you have any questions or need accommodations.
Noel Henke: noelah@illinois.edu or 847-223-8627
Dianne Glozier: glozier@illinois.edu or 847-223-8627