Community and Government Relations at Illinois

The senior director of community and government relations provides strategic support to the chancellor in building strong relationships and partnerships with key external groups, organizations, and individuals with a special emphasis in the state of Illinois government and the Champaign-Urbana community. The senior director of community and government relations also partners with system, state, and federal relations staff to build and maintain relationships with lawmakers and develop specific strategies and long-term plans to optimize support and resources for the university.

About Robert Flider

Robert Flider, a former state representative and director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, became the first director of community and government relations for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in April 2018.

A journalism graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Flider served in the state house of representatives from 2003-2011. He was appointed by former Gov. Patrick Quinn to agriculture director in 2012, serving in that position until January 2015. He previously worked in the utility industry and was the mayor of the village of Mount Zion from 1995-2003.

For assistance with a government relations issue or activity, please contact:

Bob Flider at rfflider@illinois.edu or (217) 300-5348, or his assistant,
Helen Agans at hagans@illinois.edu or (217) 265-8758.