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Illinois Universities Improve Research Payoff But Lag Behind Other Top States

The Illinois Innovation Index reportdetails research activity at Illinois' universities. The findings were issued this week by several groups, including the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition.

The report says the commercialization of research at the state's universities has intensified. Illinois ranked among the nation’s leaders in tech transfers, and last year, saw an unprecedented number of start-ups based on technology developed at Illinois’ universities.      

Between the years 2007 and 2010, the number of patents licensed to companies increased from 130 to 142.  

However, the report notes that Illinois universities are still being outperformed by academic institutions in  other states, most notably California and Massachusetts. For example, Massachusetts schools issued nearly 500 licenses in the most recent year of available data. 

Officials say that indicates more needs to be done to spur innovation in Illinois.