Bordered by the Mississippi River on the west, Lake Michigan on the east, Wisconsin on the north, and I-80 and the Illinois River on the south, the Northern Illinois Conference encompasses 19 counties in the northern third of the state. The Conference includes 400 local churches with approximately 125,000 members.

Under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of the Chicago Episcopal Area, Hee-Soo Jung, the Conference is divided into six districts, each headed by a district superintendent.

Headquartered

The Northern Illinois Conference office and the Chicago Episcopal Area office are located at:
77 West Washington Street, Suite 1820, Chicago, IL 60602

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local faith communities for a ministry of witness, justice, hope and love, and by providing a connection for mission beyond the congregation; all to the glory of God.

Priorities

Reconnecting the Connection: The Northern Illinois Conference must strive to repair our disunities and strengthen our connection, our "vital web of interactive relationships" (Book of Discipline, Para. 109) within our cultural, ethnic and theological diversity. We will provide opportunities for dialogue around our rich Wesleyan heritage and explicitly claim and clearly communicate our identity as the "people called Methodists."

Developing Leaders for the Church: The Northern Illinois Conference will further develop systems to identify, recruit, train, support and evaluate leaders, with particular attention directed to youths and young adults. Recruitment of clergy, especially among racial/ethnic minorities, also is essential to our mission and ministry and must be emphasized.

Claiming Christ on the Margins: The Northern Illinois Conference heeds the historic call of John Wesley to "offer them Christ," and it asserts its commitment to serve the neediest in our midst.

Developing and Redeveloping the Church: The Northern Illinois Conference must continue to provide direction and resources (financial, human and spiritual) for new church development and the redevelopment of existing congregations. We affirm our commitment to the General Church priorities of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministries and Strengthening the Black Church.