| Department of Economics

From March 15–20, the MSPE program traveled to New York City, where students attended a series of professional presentations while also gaining firsthand exposure to one of the world’s leading...

Read more about Spring 2026: New York City

Economics professor contributes to new report on statewide worker protections

2026-04-02

Economics professor Dr. Elizabeth Powers recently contributed to a report that analyzed policies for work protection across the state of Illinois from the University of Illinois System Institute of Government and Public Affairs. The report highlights variations in worker protections across...

Celebrating a champion for student success

2026-03-25

Jamie Thomas-Ward receives her AP Award from Dean Patton

In early February, director of undergraduate studies Jamie Thomas-Ward was honored by the College of Liberal Art & Sciences with a LAS Academic Professional Award for her outstanding contributions to the Department of Economics. As the director of undergraduate studies, Thomas-Ward...

Paper: HBCUs promote social, economic mobility for Black children who live nearby

2026-03-10

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. ― New research from a team of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign economists estimates the social mobility effects of four-year public historically Black colleges and universities on Black children who live in the same county as an HBCU.Using data on children born around...