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: Regulatory Roadblocks
The Institute explains how reforming workers' compensation, minimum wage, and licensing and fees can clear the regulatory path and make business easier for Illinois entrepreneurs.

Policy Point: The Facts about School Vouchers
 Learn the specifics of Senate Bill 2494 here.

Policy Point: Improving Government Operations and Saving Taxpayers
Learn how one village is taking a business approach to local government.

Policy Point: Budget Solutions 2011 - The Impact on Education Spending
Learn how Budget Solutions 2011 affects K-12 education spending.

Policy Point: Budget Solutions 2011
Budget Solutions 2011 offers an alternative budgeting plan that addresses our state’s immediate problems rather than kicking the can further down the road.

Policy Point: Turning the Tables on Quinn's Tax Hike
What should be cut from family budgets?

Policy Point: Economic Reform Agenda
The Institute offers six common-sense reforms to get Illinois back on the right track.

Policy Point: School Vouchers and the Students Who Use Them
The Institute presents a summary of all the comprehensive studies done on school vouchers, which clearly demonstrates their effectiveness.

Policy Point: How Does the Pension Funding and Fairness Act Work?
The Institute explains eight simple steps towards implementing the Pension Funding and Fairness Act.

Policy Point: Borrowing - The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Institute explains why the borrowing associated with the Pension Funding and Fairness Act is a good in the long run.

Policy Point: Ahead of the Curve
This report from the Institute serves as an introduction to public education reform in Illinois.

Policy Point: 15 Missed Opportunities
The Institute explains how 2009's inaction will feel 2010 budget crisis.

Policy Point: Contracting for Success
This report from the Institute serves as an introduction to school service privatization.

Policy Point: Capping Our Prosperity
The Institute explains why cap and trade is bad for Illinois.

Policy Point: Adding Insult to Injury
The Institute examines the negative impact nationalized health care will have on Illinois.

Policy Point: Getting Less for More
The Institute examines higher education in Illinois.

Policy Point: Smoke and Mirrors
The Institute examines the troubling implications of a tobacco tax increase.

Policy Point: Charter Schools and Changing Neighborhoods
The Institute examines how charter schools help Hispanics and English learners in Chicago.

Policy Point: Charting the Course
The Institute examines how Illinois charter schools offer a proven solution to the state’s dropout problem.

Policy Point: Beyond “Business As Usual”
The Institute examines how one Illinois village saved millions - and improved services for its citizens.

Policy Point: The Devil Is in the Details
The Institute examines how a sleeper provision in ObamaCare could bust Illinois's budget.

Policy Point: This Bid's for You!
The Institute examines how reverse auctions benefit taxpayers.

Policy Point: Out Of Control
The Institute examines the rising amounts of Illinois's spending.

Policy Point: Not What the Doctor Ordered
The Institute examines the scary side of government healthcare.

Policy Point: High-Speed Rail Key Facts
High-speed rail  has been praised as a clean, low-cost alternative to congested roads. A closer look at the facts show otherwise.

Policy Point: Putting the "Laboratory of the States" to Work in Illinois
The Institute examines how other states solved their budget woes.

Policy Point: Cook County Key Facts
These statistics show why the second largest county in America faces a declining population.

Policy Point: Taking Illinoisans for a Ride
This report examines the false promises of a high-speed rail.

Policy Point: Budget Facts vs. Budget Myths
The Institute examines the rhetoric surrounding the budget crisis.

Policy Point: Key Facts About Illinois
The Institute examines the realities of a high tax, big government state.

Policy Point: Opening the Door to Better Schools
The increase in charter schools demonstrates the need for reforming charter school authorization law in Illinois.

Policy Point: Illinois Budget Facts
State spending in Illinois has skyrocketed over the past decade, putting Illinois in a tight spot.

Policy Point: Ten Ways to Balance the Budget Without Tax Hikes
The Illinois Policy Institute put together ten easy ways to balance the state's budget without increasing taxes.

Policy Point: Chicago Students Prove They Can Compete... If Given a Chance
Urban charter school graduation rates rival the best in the state. It is time to lift the cap on charter schools so that all Illinois children have the opportunity for an excellent education.

Policy Point: Robbing Peter to Pay Paul
This paper takes a closer look at public employee pay in Illinois. At a time when Illinois is facing a serious budget shortfall, all areas of government spending should be carefully reviewed, especially public employee benefits.

Policy Point: No Superpowers Required
This report suggests a solution to balancing the budget without tax hikes or 'doomsday' cuts.

Policy Point: Government Goes on a Diet
The Institute proposes a sensible spending limit for Illinois

Policy Point: Doing Well by Doing Good
The state's budget deficit tops $9 billion, spending continues to surge, and there is little to no transparency as to where- and to whom- tax dollars are going. Read more about implementing statewide transparency here.

Policy Point: Unsung Heroes: Charter Schools
Downstate and suburban charter schools thrive in Illinois. The "charter school movement" has been a success, and data shows that more are needed.

Policy Point: The Biggest Loser
Cook County's high sales tax pushes consumers to neighboring cities. Learn more about Cook County's loss here.

Policy Point: The Tax That Keeps on Taking
Gov. Quinn's proposed income tax hike has hidden costs. Learn more about deadweight loss here.

Policy Point: Council on Efficient Government
The government can change the course of our state's failing economy by creating a strong efficiency review body with power to develop significant cost saving performance and procurement guidelines. Read more here. 

Policy Point:  An Economic Reform Agenda for Illinois
How can we clean up Illinois?  Implement a series of comprehensive reforms that will clean up the state's government, create real transparency and accountability, and end the practice of "pay-to-play" politics.  Our Economic Reform Agenda for Illinois suggests practical policy solutions to do just that.

Policy Point:  Charter Schools
13,000 children are currently on waiting lists for better educational opportunities--but Illinois state law is standing in their way.  Learn more here.

Policy Point:  Transparency
Taxpayers deserve to see how their money is spent.  Learn more about the importance of transparency here. 

Policy Point:  Time to Throw a TIF!
The invisible, unaccountable taxes draining your wallet.

Policy Point:  Private Educators, Public School Students
How privatization opens educational opportunities across Illinois.

Policy Point:  Should Affordable Health Care Stop at the State Border?
Opening up state markets for better health care. 

Policy Point:  Crowd Out!
When the government continually expands public insurance programs, it gets harder and harder--and more expensive--to get private insurance.  Find out more here.