Illinois Institute & Master Academy
October 6-10, 2025
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Bloomington, IL
Our Municipal Clerks of Illinois Institute and Master Academy is an internationally recognized in-person program, consisting of three years of in-depth training, delivering foundational learning and valuable certification that propels career growth.
Illinois Institute at a Glance
Illinois Institute is an in-person program designed to meet the ever-changing job demands of a municipal clerk and improve their professionalism. It is tailored to new clerks.
Dates
October 6-10, 2025
Pre-Conference October 5
Tuition
$650 by September 20 ($700 after)
Pre-Conference $65 by September 20 ($70 after)
Enhance Your Expertise
Illinois Master Academy
October 8-10, 2025
Expand your education with our concurrent Master Academy, an advanced program designed for public officials that addresses crucial issues for municipalities. An opening reception will take place October 7.
Illinois Institute Progressive Curriculum
Illinois Institute consists of a three-year progressive curriculum of classroom instruction that takes place in-person during a concentrated week every October. Each year represents approximately 32-34 hours of training. After three years, clerks graduate from the Institute, acquiring 100 hours of professional development. We recommend graduates continue with additional tracks or advanced training like Master Academy. We offer the most practical and cutting-edge education for clerks.
Hands-on Learning
Enhance your technical skills, administrative expertise, leadership capabilities and management through an engaging blend of lectures, interactive discussions and practical exercises.
Tailored Training Tracks
With three tailored training tracks, we cater to your current level of expertise. Each track becomes progressively more expansive, guiding you through state-of-the-art topics as you advance year by year.
Valuable Resources
We evaluate your mastery of the material using an essential toolkit of case studies, exercises and reference materials, all of which you can take with you for future use.
Peer Connections
We offer both formal and informal networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with peers. These relationships and the exchange of ideas foster greater confidence and improved performance.
Why Attend?
Illinois Institute offers a diverse array of educational sessions covering a broad spectrum of topics for clerks, such as leadership, management of records, ordinances and meetings, collaboration, diversity and inclusion and more. If you need help advocating for the budget to attend, we offer a form letter that you can adapt to your particular circumstances.
Book Your Hotel
Make your reservation at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Bloomington, Illinois, by using the custom booking link or by calling (309) 664-6446. The room block deadline for reservations is September 14.
Meet an
Institute graduate
"The Institute and Academy are specifically curated by city clerks about city clerk work."
Brett Bader
Deputy City Clerk
City of La Salle
Earn Exclusive Certificates
During the three years of Illinois Institute, you will earn all of the education hours required for certification specific to your position.
Certified Municipal Clerk
Authorized through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC).
Important Things to Know
Important information to consider before you register for Illinois Institute.
Attendance
Participants must attend all sessions and actively engage. Participants who miss 25% or more of a session and/or do not complete the associated assessments will not receive credit for the session.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations are permitted until two weeks prior to the institute or up to September 21. Cancellations after September 21 receive a 50% refund. All such request for refunds must be submitted in writing to outreachgovt@uwgb.edu on behalf of the MCI Training Institute Committee Chair. No-shows will not receive a refund. It is important to note that numerous contractual obligations are incurred long before the event with financial commitments to expenditures that may not be refundable to the university. If you cancel, you will not receive institute handouts.
The Value of educated Clerks
"I graduated from the Municipal Clerks of Illinois Training Institute in the fall of 2024. Through my time at the Institute, I gained valuable knowledge, guidance and built a better baseline for my role within my community. I was appointed with no municipal experience, and I believe that the value of this program is found first in the constant support and resources for new clerks. Many small communities like mine do not understand the value of an educated clerk and then are surprised when they are found out of compliance or fall behind. This program starts new clerks out on the right foot with basic training on statutory duties and real-life examples of how to solve common issues."
Catherine G. Koks, RMC
Ashton Village Clerk
MCI Rookie of the Year 2023
Ask an Expert
If you have any questions about the Institute or Academy, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.