Looking for quick summaries of Institute research?  

Download one of our Policy Points, designed to give you a one-page, comprehensive overview of key policy issues. All documents are PDF files. If you can't read the documents, download the free Acrobat Reader.

Policy Point: A model of success: Chicago's charter schools hold the top nine spots for 2012 ACT score
Too many of Chicago's children don't reach their full potential because traditional public schools are failing them.

Policy Point: Roadblock to Reform: Illinois labor law empowers government unions at taxpayers' expense
Government employee unions have become a persistent obstacle to reforming government in Illinois. At every
level, and on a wide range of issues, union officials work to prevent changes that are desperately needed.

Policy Point: $203 billion and counting: Total debt for state and local retirement benefits in Illinois
State government owes billions of dollars for the pensions and health insurance benefits of retired government workers. Local governments owe billions more. Illinois taxpayers are on the hook for the liabilities of both state and local government.

Policy Point: Overloaded: One in three Illinoisans on Medicaid by 2019?
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, commonly known as ObamaCare, will make Medicaid more expensive and worsen care for those who need it most by adding more people to a failing program.

Policy Point: New technology for old problems - 10 elements of high quality digital learning
When online learning becomes a priority at the school, district or state level, innovative solutions to old problems begin to emerge.

Policy Point: Out of sync - Government and private employee compensation in Illinois
Since the January 2011 tax hike, Illinoisans have seen more of their household budgets go to shoulder the growing cost of government employee compensation packages – packages made up of overly generous pay and perks that many can only dream of.

Policy Point: Budget fail - Plan awaiting Gov. Quinn’s signature grows spending, debt
State spending will increase in 2012. That is, unless additional cuts and policy changes are added to the general fund budget currently awaiting Gov. Quinn’s signature.

Policy Point: HB1569 - Opt-in Health Savings Account Plans for State Employees
HB1569 would modify the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971 to create an optional alternative health insurance program for state employees, a combination of a Health Savings Account and a qualifying, state-sponsored, High-Deductible Health Plan.

Policy Point: Know Your Income, Then Budget - The People of Illinois Deserve a Balanced State Budget They Can Afford
Since the record tax hikes were passed last month, everyday staples have become less affordable for many families. Will state lawmakers respect the sacrifices they are making and budget responsibly?

Policy Point: Commitment to Taxpayers - How Grayslake Reduces Costs and Serves Its Community
Families are watching their budgets and managing spending as efficiently as possible, focusing on necessities and eliminating unessential spending. Government at every level should do the same—while some are, others are not.

Policy Point: League of Extraordinary High Schools
Chicago’s charter schools show that a team of reform-minded schools can turn the tide.

Policy Point: Key Facts about Illinois
Out of the 50 states, Illinois ranks 47th in economic outlook.  Neighboring Missouri and Indiana rank well ahead in terms of future opportunity, at 15th and 20th respectively.

Policy Point: Health Savings Account
When it comes to health insurance, Illinois faces a looming dilemma. State government spending on core services is increasingly squeezed by the cost of health insurance for state employees and retirees. Meanwhile, state workers face limited options.