The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition showed that the state of Illinois is the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the nation, awarding nearly 10 percent of the country’s computer science degrees.
Vikram Adve, professor and interim head of the Department of Computer Science, said the number of computer science applicants at the University in fall 2017 was about 5,100, amounting to 13 percent of all incoming applications.

As Chicago’s innovation scene continues to grow, tech employers should have plenty of fresh talent to choose from, according to a new report that shows the number of local STEM graduates — and computer science grads specifically — is skyrocketing.

“Illinois now second largest producer of computer science graduates in the U.S.,” by Chicago Inno’s Katherine Davis: “As Chicago’s innovation scene continues to grow, tech employers should have plenty of fresh talent to choose from, according to a new report, which shows the number of local STEM graduates, and computer science grads specifically, is skyrocketing. The report, published today by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition and LinkedIn, shows that Illinois is now the second largest producer of computer science graduates in the country, awarding nearly 10 percent of the nation’s computer science degrees.

“With an increased focus on cloud computing, big data, IoT, and mobile computing, the importance of computer science talent in the economy continues to grow,” according to the report. “Those with computer science skills are some of the most sought-after members of the workforce, with around half a million computer and information technology jobs expected to be added nationally by 2024.”

The Illinois Science & Technology Institute (ISTI), a STEM education focused nonprofit that connects companies with classrooms, today announced its participating high schools and industry and academic partners for the 2017-18 school year. This year’s program includes more than 1,500 students at 40 Illinois high schools, who will be paired with professionals working in STEM-related fields to collaborate on industry-focused problems and independent research projects. “ISTI takes students beyond the classroom walls through problem-based learning, hands-on project design, and active mentorship,” says Mark Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer of ISTI.

North Chicago Community High School students have been working closely with AbbVie Foundation to create STEM-based -- science, technology, engineering and math -- projects that could benefit people with cancer. The program is part of Illinois Science & Technology Institute's STEM Challenge.

Thank you to Kristi Ross and Tony Battista at TastyTrade for having us to discuss the latest issue of the Illinois Innovation Index.

David Rabie, Mark Harris, Rebecca Sholiton and Ryan Shelton join Good Day Chicago to give us a firsthand look at why Illinois is a hotbed for startups.

Illinois universities have been CRANKING out startups the past several years. And thanks to the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition (ISTC), we now know exactly how many. Illinois universities produced 285 startups in 2016, which is up 95% from the previous year. From 2012 to 2016, Illinois universities produced more than 800 startups, which is up nearly 100% compared to 2009–2013, according to the ISTC's annual report.

University efforts in Illinois to boost entrepreneurship and link big thinkers with seed cash and startup partners seem to be paying off. And immigrants are playing an outsize role in campus spinoffs. Those were two takeaways from the just-released Illinois Innovation Index, produced annually by the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition.