Rural community leaders often are part-time with limited formal backgrounds on public management practices. IIRA has had a cooperative arrangement with several state agencies in which their staff worked closely with IRRA faculty and staff to identify innovative management practices, conduct case studies, and present these materials a conferences and seminars attended by local public officials and community leaders. The Illinois Center for Competitive Governments serves as an outreach effort in helping local public officials identify effective management practices. The mission of the IIRA is to improve community and economic development including public education, health care, transportation, and public management concerns in rural Illinois by working with public and private agencies to provide value-added information and technical expertise. IIRA programs are designed to overcome rural disadvantages and improve policy decisions that help maintain the long-term viability of communities.
Special attention is paid to disadvantaged regions and underserved population segments.
IIRA believes that broad-based participation in local decisions ultimately leads to a higher quality of life for more residents. IIRA addresses each of these issues using a holistic approach. The most successful solutions to local problems come from local initiatives. IIRA strives to empower residents and community leaders to make informed decisions rather than recommending specific actions. Rural issues are broader than agriculture even though agriculture is important and must be included in efforts to strengthen the local economic base.