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Motorists in Illinois are paying $4.06 per gallon of gas — $0.40 more than the national average.
5/24/2013
Open bargaining essential to avoid government corruption
5/24/2013
Institute on WJPF Radio: Tom Miller and John Tillman discuss pension cost-shift proposal
5/23/2013
Failed “Amazon tax” heads to Illinois Supreme Court
5/23/2013
Institute on WQAD 8: Pension “pick-up” for teachers under fire
5/23/2013
CPS school closings: district spares some schools, but problems still persist
5/23/2013
Daily Links for May 23
5/23/2013
New study finds that Medicaid doesn't improve health outcomes
5/23/2013
Taxing the Net: Lessons from Illinois
5/23/2013
Illinois speed limit hike goes to Gov. Quinn
5/22/2013
News
Events   Compass Online   News and Press  




Institute on WQAD 8: Pension “pick-up” for teachers under fire
5/23/2013


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Institute on WJPF Radio: Tom Miller and John Tillman discuss pension cost-shift proposal
5/23/2013


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Institute in the Daily Caller: Chicago taxpayers could finance private university’s sports arena
5/22/2013


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Institute on ABC 20: Lawmakers Face May 31 Deadline For Major Bills
5/22/2013


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PRESS RELEASE: "Cost shift" more affordable for schools if Illinois adopts a 401(k)-style retirement system for government workers
5/17/2013


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Institute on FOX Chicago: Millions spent on massive downstate gun range that sits empty
5/14/2013


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PRESS RELEASE: Liberty Justice Center files amended complaint in Illinois campaign finance case
5/13/2013


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Institute in Daily Herald: Unused state police time off cost taxpayers $7.7 million
5/8/2013

Illinois state troopers accumulate days, get paid for them at retirement
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Institute on WJPF Radio: Tom Miller and John Tillman discuss pensions
5/7/2013


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Institute on WCIA TV: $30,000 government internship with benefits
5/7/2013


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Institute in Chicago Tribune: No more secrets
5/3/2013


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Institute on Fox 2: Illinois' $3 million ferry boat that won't go
5/3/2013


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Institute on WTTW: John Tillman dissects Madigan's pension proposal
5/2/2013


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MEDIA ALERT: Madigan pension plan falls dramatically short of the reform Illinois needs; guarantee means future tax hikes
5/2/2013


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Institute on 1440 WROK's Riley & Scot: Ted Dabrowski discusses pension reform
5/1/2013


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MEDIA ALERT: Democracy restored: Liberty Justice Center lawsuit vindicates constitutional rights of City of Macomb citizens
4/26/2013


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MEDIA ALERT: Ruling to be issued Friday in dispute over Macomb aldermanic race
4/25/2013

Hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday has been canceled; written decision to be issued by 4 p.m. Friday
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PRESS RELEASE: Most Illinois pension debt since '95 unrelated to skipped payments
4/23/2013


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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute applauds House Resolution opposing graduated income tax
4/15/2013


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Institute in State Journal-Register: State employee contract terms should be public
4/13/2013

As we try to evaluate the deal that Gov. Pat Quinn reached with state employees, we have plenty of reasons to be skeptical about Quinn’s claim that health care changes in the contract will save the state $900 million
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Institute on WJPF Radio: Tom Miller and John Tillman discuss pension reform
4/9/2013


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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Modernizing Illinois' tax system
4/2/2013

The Chicago Tribune published the following letter to the editor from the Institute's senior budget and tax analyst, Ben VanMetre.
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MEDIA ALERT: Liberty Justice Center files lawsuit in dispute over Macomb aldermanic race
4/2/2013


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Institute on WCIA 3: Grant monitoring virtually non-existent
4/1/2013


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Institute on ABC 20: Frivolous bills at the Illinois statehouse
4/1/2013


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Institute on Fox Business: Chicago to close 54 schools
3/25/2013

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman joined Melissa Francis to talk school closings in Chicago.
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MEDIA ALERT: Liberty Justice Center to represent Steven Wailand in dispute over Macomb aldermanic race
3/25/2013


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Institute on ABC 20: Only 3% of Illinois laws had fiscal notes
3/19/2013


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Institute on FoxNews.com: Illinois lawmaker seeks to ban sale of lion meat
3/10/2013


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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Quinn's Budget Address misses the mark
3/7/2013


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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on Quinn Budget Address
3/6/2013

Illinois Policy Institute statement on Quinn Budget Address: Governor fails to offer plan to turn Illinois around
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Institute in Reuters: Illinois governor calls budget plan toughest in state's history
3/6/2013


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Institute on 1440 WROK's Riley & Scot: John Tillman discusses Budget Solutions and pension reform
3/5/2013

Illinois Policy Institute CEO, John Tillman, joined Riley & Scot to discuss "Budget Solutions 2014" and the Institute's pension reform plan, which cuts the unfunded liability by half.
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PRESS RELEASE: Plan to solve the pension crisis, balance the state budget and repeal the tax hike
2/28/2013


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MEDIA ADVISORY: Thursday: Pension, budget press conference from Illinois Policy Institute
2/27/2013


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Institute on KMOV: Illinois lawmakers cashing in big with lobbyists, mileage and per diems
2/21/2013


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Institute on WAND TV: Illinois property tax rates second worst in country
2/19/2013

Institute policy expert, Jonathan Ingram, joined Sara Sidery on WAND TV to discuss Illinois' sky high property taxes, which are the 2nd-highest in nation.
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Institute on ABC 20: Legislative committee stipends are a waste
2/14/2013


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Institute on WCIA TV: Illinois spending hundreds of thousands on office furniture
2/13/2013

A WCIA-3 News investigation focused specifically on office furniture. It found three departments among the biggest spenders: the comptroller, secretary of state and IDOT.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: State of the State analysis
2/7/2013


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Institute on WGN Radio: John Tillman joined Carol Roth in studio to talk State of the State
2/7/2013


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PRESS RELEASE: Governor fails to lead on Illinois' most pressing issues
2/6/2013


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“Farmer” commercial by Ram Trucks tops Illinois Policy Institute’s “Laugh, think, do” index
2/3/2013


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Institute in Daily Herald: District's tab for weekend in Chicago was $13,756
1/30/2013

Those were part of a $13,756.20 tab from a weekend trip to a downtown Chicago conference for seven school board members and five administrators of the two-school district in November.
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Institute on WAND TV: Illinois' addiction to pork
1/29/2013


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Institute in Daily Herald: Defined benefit plans cannot be sustained
1/28/2013


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Institute on Fox Business: Ted Dabrowski talks Illinois' credit downgrade on Varney & Co.
1/28/2013


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Institute in Investor's Business Daily: Obama's Illinois Downgrade Makes It America's Greece
1/28/2013

State Budgets: Inability or unwillingness to fix the state's hemorrhaging pension system and curb union power has led a major credit rating service to downgrade the Land of Lincoln's rating to the lowest in the nation.
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Institute on ABC 20: Auditor position vacant at 3 out of 5 state pension funds
1/22/2013


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Institute on Fox Business: Ted Dabrowski discusses one in three Illinois residents living at or near poverty
1/18/2013


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Progressive Income Tax: Money grab disguised as tax reform
1/11/2013

The same forces that helped Quinn land the governorship in 2010 and raise income taxes in 2011 are laying the groundwork for a progressive tax initiative.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Why pension talks aren't real reform
1/8/2013

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman joined Carol Marin and a panel of experts on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss pension reform in Illinois.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute opposes Nekritz-Biss pension plan
1/8/2013


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Institute on 1440 WROK's Riley & Scot: John Tillman discusses tax hike and pension reform
1/7/2013

Riley & Scot talk with Illinois Policy Institute CEO, John Tillman, on IL taxpayers feeling the impact of Democrats' 67% income tax hike and the progress on pension reform talks.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pensions: Real reform means adopting 401(k)-style plan
1/6/2013


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Institute on Politics Tonight: Ted Dabrowski talks pension reform
1/5/2013


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Institute on ABC 7 News: Talks on Illinois pension crisis end without deal
1/5/2013

Institute CEO John Tillman discusses pension reform
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute launches billboard campaign against new taxes, government waste
1/3/2013

Billboard on I-55 urges state lawmakers on their drive to Springfield: "Read my lipstick: No new taxes"
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Institute in Decatur Herald & Review: State must focus on growing jobs
12/20/2012


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PRESS RELEASE: Suburban governments in Lake County fail transparency audit
12/19/2012


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LakeView Patch: Retiring Illinois Lawmakers Make Bank on the Way Out
12/19/2012

Are you worried about your own retirement? With the downturn in the economy, did your 401k and savings take a big hit? If so, you're like millions of other Americans forced to confront a dramatically different outlook for their post-work years. But one gr
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Institute in Illinois Times: Online transparency crucial to fighting corruption in Illinois
12/17/2012

The Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Government Reform, Brian Costin, submitted the following letter to the Illinois Times. An edited version appeared in the latest print edition
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Push for minimum wage hike intensifies as worker ranks swell
12/14/2012

Many who lost middle-class jobs during the recession are taking low-paying positions. Employees and activist groups are pushing for a living wage.
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Institute on CBS Chicago: Unions concerned about potential Illinois right to work law
12/11/2012

The governor of historically pro-union Michigan has signed “right to work” legislation that severely limits union powers, making that state – for decades a union stronghold, particularly due to Detroit’s autoindustry – the 24th in the nation to become a “
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MEDIA ALERT: Michigan prepares to enact Right to Work
12/10/2012

Illinois Policy Institute labor expert available to comment on controversial law
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Nekritz, Dabrowski discuss Illinois' newest pension reform plan
12/7/2012

Illinois is facing a $95 billion pension crisis and the number is getting bigger everyday.
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PRESS RELEASE: Newest pension plan falls short
12/5/2012

Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy at the Illinois Policy Institute, released the following statement in response to a new pension reform proposal to be unveiled today by members of the Illinois House:
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Institute in USA Today: Crisis remains after 'fiscal cliff'
12/3/2012

State and local pensions will still be short by trillions of dollars, tempting federal bailout.
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National Review: Your New Government-Spending Mascot
12/3/2012

For all the talk we’ve recently heard about public-sector benefits in Wisconsin and other states, the Illinois government employee-pension system is a complete disaster.
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Fox News: Discussing Pension Reform and Squeezy the Pension Python with Megyn Kelly
11/30/2012

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen appears on FOX News' "America Live" to discuss pension reform in Illinois.
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Press Release: Macoupin County only bright spot in western, central Illinois online government transparency audit
11/27/2012


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Fox News: Waste watch — Illinois uses tax money on pig races?
11/26/2012

Report lists Prairie State's wasteful spending.
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Daily Herald: Local property tax levies up $3.5 billion since '10
11/21/2012

Schools get lion's share of tax increases
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Northwest Herald: Quinn could play Santa Claus by reforming state tax code
11/21/2012

If Gov. Pat Quinn is looking to moonlight during the holiday season, he ought to consider becoming a gift wrapper at Sears.
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PRESS RELEASE: PIGLET 2012 REPORT FINDS MORE THAN $354 MILLION IN WASTEFUL SPENDING
11/20/2012

New report finds nearly 200 examples of wasteful spending totaling more than $354 million.
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Southtown Star: TRS boss misleads
11/19/2012

In his response to Scott Reeder’s Nov. 1 column on the Teachers’ Retirement System’s pathetically low 2012 investment returns, TRS Executive Director Dick Ingram does exactly what his letter accuses others of doing — mislead.
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The Daily Caller: Illinois governor announces ‘Squeezy, the pension python’ to highlight state’s pension woes
11/19/2012

Illinois’ pension debt is so catastrophically bad — and progress on a solution has been so slow — that the state’s Democratic governor is now putting the squeeze on opponents of his reform plan.
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CBS Chicago: Think Tank Cautions Against Raising State’s Minimum Wage
11/17/2012

A pro-business think tank was warning that a legislative proposal to raise the minimum wage in Illinois would do more harm than good.
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Northwest Herald: Minimum wage hike would lead to job cuts across Illinois
11/16/2012

These days, teenagers start asking Springfield water park owner Doug Knight for summer jobs before Christmas.
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Champaign News-Gazette: State should stop picking up employer pension share
11/16/2012

Chicago city bosses may soon ask you to help pay for the double-digit raises Chicago Public Schools just granted to the Chicago Teachers Union.
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Crain's Chicago Business: Income gap widening fast in Illinois, new report says
11/16/2012

Illinois once was considered a state in which the middle class ruled, with wealth disparity relatively limited compared to other states. But that has significantly changed in the past two decades, according to a report released this morning by a Washingt
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Forbes: It's Not Just The Feds, The States Face Their Own Fiscal Cliffs, Too
11/16/2012

This issue is not just a national one, though.
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San Francisco Chronicle: Illinois unemployment unchanged at 8.8 percent
11/16/2012

The latest news on Illinois' jobless rate is neither really bad nor really good
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Springfield considering increasing minimum wage to $10.25 – teens stand to lose big
11/12/2012

n the aftermath of the Great Recession, teenage workers have taken a huge hit. Only 27 percent of teens in Illinois had jobs last year – the lowest Illinois teen employment rate in the 42 years such data has been collected.
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Reuters: Illinois faces own fiscal cliff after big Democratic election win
11/10/2012

Illinois Democratic lawmakers, facing the state's own version of the fiscal cliff.
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CNBC: Do Americans Hate Rich People?
11/7/2012

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman joined Maria Bartiromo on CNBC to discuss class warfare.
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Chicago Tribune: Orland Park, Tinley Park, Homer Glen get high grades for transparent government
11/5/2012

Village government in Orland Park, Tinley Park and Homer Glen get high marks for transparency, according to a spokesman for the fiscally-conservative Illinois Policy Institute.
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Chicago Tribune: Despite rough economy, school spending climbs in Illinois
10/31/2012

The cost of educating public school students in Illinois continues to go up in the face of a struggling economy that has forced teacher layoffs and led to cuts in state education aid, new state data show.
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Lombard Spectator: Villa Park’s website earns failing grade on Local Transparency Project
10/30/2012

The Village of Villa Park received a failing score of 41.1 percent on a recent audit conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute, as part of the organization’s Local Transparency project.
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Fox Illinois: Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System bleeding out, experts say
10/30/2012

Illinois’ teacher pension system could go broke if the state does not figure out a way to fully fund the system soon, the leader of the retirement system and others have warned again.
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MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Illinois Policy Institute experts available to comment on proposed Cook County taxes
10/26/2012

FY2013 budget includes cigarette tax hike, guns and ammo taxes and more taxes on businesses
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Institute in the Washington Post: 1st Illinois Amtrak train hits 111 mph
10/19/2012

For the first time on a key Midwestern route between Chicago and St. Louis, an Amtrak passenger train topped 110 mph Friday
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Institute in Forbes: The Unctuous, Impoverishing Bigotry Of Class Warfare
10/17/2012

Class warfare is a form of bigotry; it shouldn’t be tolerated any more than we would other forms of bigotry in public life.
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: Government transparency stays murky
10/16/2012

Transparency in government is a simple, straightforward concept but unfortunately it's hard to find examples of it in Southern Illinois.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois gearing up for next massive tax hike: $8.6 billion
10/12/2012

Gov. Quinn and government unions are pushing a progressive tax they claim is a tax on the rich, but actually would increase taxes for 85% of Illinois taxpayers
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Institute on WTTW Chicago Tonight: Rewriting the federal tax code
10/10/2012

Our CEO John Tillman joined WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the federal deficit and reforming the federal tax code.
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PRESS RELEASE: Union & Madison counties only bright spots in S. Illinois transparency report
10/9/2012

13 out of 14 county governments in southern Illinois receive failing grades, and many county governments are not compliant with state open records laws.
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Institute in Washington Post: Diane Cohen study cited by George Will
10/5/2012

Because IPAB effectively makes law, thereby traducing the separation of powers, and entrenches IPAB in a manner that derogates the powers of future Congresses, it has been well described by a Cato Institute study as “the most anti-constitutional measure e
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PRESS RELEASE: Statement from Liberty Justice Center regarding federal district court ruling on Illinois campaign finance law
10/5/2012

A federal district court judge has denied an effort to stop the enforcement of Illinois' campaign finance law.
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Institute on ABC 7 News: How will city pay for teachers' new contract?
10/4/2012

Our CEO John Tillman joined ABC 7 to discuss CTU's contract ratification.
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Institute on Fox Business: John Tillman joined Lou Dobbs Tonight to discuss No Pension Bailout
10/3/2012


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Institute on LouDobbs.com: No bailouts for state pensions
10/1/2012

There's a new campaign underway; "No Pension Bailout" led by the Illinois Policy Institute, attempting to push back against states and municipalities underwater as a result of skyrocketing pension liabilities.
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Institute in Pensions and Investments: Republicans build up, then fight, issue of bailouts for pension funds
10/1/2012

Concern over underfunding of both public and corporate pension plans has Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, his party and other conservatives making a pre-emptive strike against the idea of federal government bailouts.
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Institute on FoxNews.com: DeMint joins national effort to keep feds from bailing out state pensions
9/30/2012

Illinois Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn is getting hit with a nationwide backlash over his suggestion that the federal government bail out the state employees’ pension program.
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Institute in The Spokesman-Review: Don't bail out state pension funds
9/29/2012

The financial meltdown and Great Recession is teaching an expensive lesson: When big institutions face financial crises, governments are all too eager to bail them out.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: Dumb enough to bail us out?
9/25/2012

If Gov. Pat Quinn or anyone else has any thought that the federal government will pull Illinois back from the ledge of financial ruin, forget it.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Illinois Policy Institute to host debate on teacher pension reform
9/24/2012

On Tuesday, Sept. 25, the Illinois Policy Institute will host a debate aimed at exploring who should pay the employers' share of teacher pension costs: local school districts or the state.
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Institute in Tampa Tribune: Florida shouldn't pay for other states' foolishness
9/24/2012

The financial meltdown of the past decade has taught America an expensive lesson: When big institutions face a financial crisis, the federal government is all too eager to bail them out.
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Institute on WCIA TV: Illinois looking for a federal bailout?
9/24/2012

A closer look at the state's FY2012 budget is prompting new questions about whether Illinois could seek a federal bailout on pensions.
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Bipartisan Leadership in Illinois
9/21/2012

The Illinois Policy Institute has promoted successful bipartisan reforms for a better Illinois. You can catch up on our recent success stories here.
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Institute on Fox Business: John Tillman joined Stossel to discuss employers' rights
9/21/2012

Stossel correspondent Kennedy and John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute discuss recent union actions and whether they have too much power.
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Institute on Illinois Watchdog: DeMint — No fed bailout for state pensions
9/21/2012

The Illinois Policy Institute launched “No Pension Bailout,” a national movement to block Congress‘ attempts to rescue failing state and municipal pension plans.
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PRESS RELEASE: Sen. Jim DeMint: Don’t bail out state pensions
9/20/2012

Bailout of state pensions would force taxpayers in prudent states to pay for fiscal irresponsibility of Illinois, California
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Institute in The Wall Street Journal: An Illinois pension bailout?
9/20/2012

Governor Quinn wants you to guarantee his state's pensions.
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Institute on Fox Business: John Tillman joined Stossel to discuss "Union Power"
9/20/2012

Institute CEO was in studio with John Stossel to discuss the Chicago Teachers Union strike and what it says about union power.
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Institute on NBC News: Biggest losers of Chicago's teacher strike? The students, critics say
9/20/2012

As the dust settles on Chicago's first teachers strike in 25 years, one critic says the biggest loser of the labor standoff is the students.
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Institute on RedState: Don’t Bail Out Public Pensions!
9/20/2012

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), the Senate’s strongest voice for principled conservatism, joined with John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute at the Cato Institute to pledge his opposition to a federal bailout of pensions.
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Institute on Talk Radio News Service: DeMint warns against state pension bailout
9/20/2012

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and other conservatives said today that it would be a mistake for the federal government to consider bailing out states that are in danger of defaulting on massive pension liabilities.
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Institute on Fox Business: John Tillman on end of CTU strike
9/19/2012

John Tillman appeared in-studio with Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss the agreement reached between the city and teachers.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Why Illinois is so broke
9/19/2012

A specter is haunting Illinois — the specter of government unions.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Sen. Jim DeMint to hold news conference announcing opposition to federal bailout of underfunded state pensions
9/18/2012

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) will hold a news conference this week to discuss why Congress should block a federal bailout of underfunded state pension systems.
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MEDIA ALERT: Statement from Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman regarding end of Chicago teachers strike
9/18/2012

Chicago Teachers Union calls off strike
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Reuters: Tough tactics leave Emanuel bruised in fight with Chicago teachers
9/18/2012

There is room to debate who won the battle between Chicago and its striking teachers union but there is little disagreement the strike and the deal approved by union members on Tuesday mark a personal loss for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
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MEDIA ALERT: Statement from Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman regarding Chicago teachers strike
9/16/2012

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement regarding news that the Chicago teachers strike would enter its second week.
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MEDIA ALERT: Top 10 facts about the Chicago teachers strike
9/14/2012

Chicago Public Schools plans to drain reserve funds during the 2012-13 school year just to stay afloat, and is planning to run a $1 billion deficit the following school year.
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Institute on Fox Business: Chicago Teachers strike continues
9/13/2012

John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute on the impact of the teachers strike and the continued negotiation efforts.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: CPS kids would need vouchers to attend 'unreal' schools
9/13/2012

John Tillman talks about why the strike is a tragedy for the children
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MEDIA ALERT: Chicago teachers walk the picket lines today, but will retire with pensions worth more than $1 million
9/13/2012

Today marks the fourth day of the Chicago teachers strike. Despite being offered a 16 percent pay increase, teachers continue to demand higher double-digit raises on top of their average salary of $71,000.
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MEDIA ALERT: Four state lawmakers to file legislation to increase charters, opportunity scholarships
9/13/2012

As Chicago Teachers Union members strike, hundreds of thousands of Chicago kids are on the street.
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Institute on ABC 7 News: Chicago Teachers Strike — How much should student growth factor into teacher evaluations
9/13/2012

One of the sticking points in the Chicago teachers strike is how much student performances should factor into teacher evaluations.
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Is the CTU Strike legal? No, says the Illinois Policy Institute [Spanish]
9/13/2012

¿Es legal la huelga de CTU? No, dice el grupo Illinois Policy Institute.
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MEDIA ALERT: Chicago teachers enter third day of strike, and new data begs the question: Are average Chicago teachers overpaid?
9/12/2012

Today marks the third strike day for Chicago teachers. The Chicago teacher salary average of $71,000 has been an eye-opener across the nation, and now new data prompts the question: Are Chicago teachers overpaid?
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Institute on HuffPost Live: Are unions getting in the way of education reform?
9/12/2012

Despite weeks of negotiations between the Mayor and the Chicago Teachers Union, the city's teachers are on strike.
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John Stossel's Take: Teachers strike in Chicago
9/11/2012

Chicago teachers already make an average $75,000. That's more than other big city teachers earn, AND much more than Chicago's private school teachers get ($50,000).
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Institute on Fox Business: How Chicago should handle teachers' union strike
9/10/2012

Illinois Policy Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen on Fox Business discussing the Chicago Teachers Union strike.
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MEDIA ALERT: Illinois Policy Institute statement on Chicago Teachers Union strike; Institute experts available for interviews
9/10/2012

The two things that matter most to these teachers are money and avoiding accountability for poor performance.
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Institute on WTTW Chicago Tonight: What's Next for Chicago Teachers and Schools
9/10/2012

Our CEO John Tillman joined WTTW's Chicago Tonight hosted by Carol Marin, which discussed the Chicago Teachers Union strike and what's next for Chicago teachers and schools.
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Institute on WGN-TV: Kristina Rasmussen on Chicago teachers' strike
9/10/2012

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen on WGN-TV talking about the Chicago Teachers Union strike.
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Institute on ABC 7 News: Contract talks between CTU and CPS
9/9/2012

CPS will be draining cash reserves this year just to stay afloat, and will be $1 billion in the red next school year. The 30 percent raise CTU originally asked for is out of the question.
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Institute in State Journal-Register: Union dues are a secret 'union tax'
9/4/2012


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Institute in Tennessean: Bailouts punish successful states, help the foolish
8/29/2012

The bailout craze is currently on a worldwide tour. After hitting Wall Street, Detroit and going abroad for a European swing, its next stop could be back in the U.S. for a tour of state capitals.
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PRESS RELEASE: Eastern Illinois counties earn low marks in government transparency audit
8/28/2012

21 out of 22 county governments in eastern Illinois receive failing grades in Institute audit, and many are not compliant with state open records laws
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Illinois Policy Institute announces expansion of legal, policy, legislative and news capacities
8/27/2012

The Institute is pleased to announce the following additions to its full-time, senior staff. By expanding our legal, policy, legislative and news capacities, the Institute will be better poised to pursue this vision.
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Institute in Richmond Times-Dispatch: Will Virginians bail out irresponsible states?
8/26/2012

While Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly have worked hard to stabilize our state's retirement system — which is relied upon by those who work and have worked for our state and local governments — other states have not done as well.
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Institute in Baltimore Sun: Is another federal bailout coming?
8/21/2012

Maryland stands to lose big if the government steps in to save state pension systems
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MEDIA ALERT: Illinois Policy Institute experts available to talk pension reform
8/17/2012

State lawmakers back in Springfield today; expectations low. Experts available in Chicago and Springfield
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MEDIA ALERT: Illinois Policy Institute statement on failed pension reform
8/17/2012

Spokespeople available in Springfield and Chicago
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Unions boo Gov. Quinn at state fair
8/15/2012

Unions booed the governor when he took the stage Wednesday at the Illinois State Fair.
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Institute in Daily Herald: A road map to transparency
8/10/2012

Only when our government leaders emphasize the importance of transparency in all they do will taxpayers truly benefit.
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Media advisory: Who should pay pension costs?
8/8/2012

On Tuesday, Aug. 14, the Illinois Policy Institute will host a debate aimed at exploring who should pay the employers' share of teacher pension costs: local school districts or the state.
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MEDIA ALERT: Hot, Fresh and Fighting: Food truck operators sue City of Evanston
8/7/2012

PRESS CONFERENCE: Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 11:30am. Near Fountain Square (Davis St. & Sherman Ave.) in downtown Evanston
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Seven DuPage County-area governments receive high marks in online transparency audit
8/2/2012

In the latest round of online transparency audits conducted by the Illinois Policy Institute, only 13 of 22 local government agencies in the York Township-area in DuPage County received passing grades.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute recognizes Milton Friedman's 100th birthday
7/31/2012

The Illinois Policy Institute marked the 100th birthday of Milton Friedman at an event co-hosted by Americans for Prosperity.
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See what they're saying about the LJC campaign finance law challenge
7/27/2012

The Liberty Justice Center on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the recently-amended Illinois campaign finance law, calling its unequal treatment of entrenched political interests against grassroots political organizations unconstitutional.
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PRESS RELEASE: LJC files lawsuit challenging constitutionality of Illinois campaign finance law
7/25/2012

CHICAGO (July 25, 2012) – The Liberty Justice Center, a public interest litigation center started by the Illinois Policy Institute, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Illinois’ campaign finance law.
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Institute on FOX St. Louis: Reform legislator pay
7/20/2012

Watch the FOX 2 'You Paid For It' Team interview senate leaders of the Illinois Legislature.
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Institute in Daily Herald: State worker pension structure encourages pension abuse
7/17/2012

Read what Paul Kersey has to say about Addison's police chief quarter-million-a-year haul.
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Institute in Lyons Suburban Life: State’s retirement debt must be addressed
7/11/2012

Read what Lyons Suburban Life reporter Jerry Moore has to say about the Illinois retirement debt crisis.
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Institute in Kane County Chronicle: County website sets good example
7/6/2012


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MEDIA ALERT: Repeal and replace ObamaCare – statement on Supreme Court ruling
6/28/2012


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See what they're saying about the Institute's transparency initiative
6/27/2012

The Institute's transparency initiative was featured in several media hits.
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Press Release: Kane County earns 100% in government transparency audit
6/26/2012

Kane County earns 100% in Illinois Policy Institute transparency audit
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Lawrence McQuillan in Rockford Register Star
6/25/2012

Illinois Policy Institute's Lawrence McQuillan weighs in on the income tax debate in the Rockford Register Star.
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Institute in State Journal-Register: Total state retiree debt $200 billion
6/21/2012


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See what they're saying about the Institute's "$203 billion and counting" report
6/21/2012

Check out our media hits for our latest story about the true cost of public-sector retirees.
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PRESS RELEASE: IL pension, retirement debt tops $203 billion
6/20/2012


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Institute in Crain's Chicago Business: Illinois taxpayers owe $203 billion in unfunded retirement debt
6/20/2012


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Institute on ABC-7 Chicago: Museum built using Illinois Jobs Now grant funds
6/14/2012

Institute CEO John Tillman discusses the controversy over the recently-opened Museum of Broadcast Communications' use of Illinois Jobs Now funds to finance the construction of a new building.
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Institute on CBS 2: Teachers are unrealistic on contract dispute
6/12/2012

John Tillman appeared on CBS 2 to discuss the emerging teachers' contract dispute
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John Tillman on Extension 720 with Milt Rosenberg: Political Rock 'Em, Sock 'Em
6/12/2012

Four highly qualified political pundits, two conservatives and two liberals, debate the biggest issues of the 2012 election cycle.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Illinois shouldn't adopt progressive tax
6/8/2012

Read an opinion piece by the Institute's Lawrence McQuillan
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Institute on Fox Business: John TIllman on Illinois passing the buck on pension reform
6/8/2012

John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute on the state’s inability to enact legislation to curb government spending.
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Institue in Chicago Tribune: Illinois needs its own Scott Walker. Where is he?
6/7/2012

Read John Kass's column about Illinois's own budget problems, featuring the Institute's John Tillman.
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Institute in The Wall Street Journal: Illinois blows smoke at taxpayers
6/5/2012

The Institute's John Tillman was referenced in this opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal
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Press release: Illinois Policy Institute statement on pension reform
6/1/2012

Illinois lawmakers failed to enact meaningful pension reform before the May 31 session deadline. Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement today regarding pension reform.
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Institute in Northwest Herald: Illinois pension reform in limbo
5/30/2012

The Institute was featured in a Northwest Herald article on the pension reform battle.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute statement regarding Republican support for ObamaCare
5/25/2012

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman released the following statement regarding the Republican support for ObamaCare
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Institute on Fox Business: Collin Hitt argues against cigarette tax increase
5/25/2012

The Institute's Collin Hitt appeared on Fox Business to state our case against a cigarette tax increase.
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See what they're saying about the Institute's Medicaid plan
5/23/2012

Since Monday morning, the Institute's plan has been in the news more than 30 times all across the state.
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Institute in State Journal-Register: Quinn's plan inadequate
5/23/2012

The Institute's Ted Dabrowski wrote the following opinion piece on Gov. Quinn's pension plan.
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Press Release: Institute releases plan to reform Medicaid
5/21/2012

The Illinois Policy Institute's proposals will cut $2.7 billion from Medicaid without tax hikes or rate cuts
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From National Review: Does Illinois GOP support Obamacare?
5/18/2012

National Review Online cites an Institute blog post.
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Orland Township, Tinley Park, Orland School District 135 and Orland Fire receive high marks in transparency audit
5/17/2012

Six neighboring government agencies fail transparency test
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: If schools pay pensions, we all benefit
5/14/2012

The Institute's Collin Hitt wrote this op-ed on pensions in the Belleville News Democrat.
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Institute on FOX St. Louis: Legislative Pay
5/11/2012

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen discussed whether state legislators should cut their pay on FOX St. Louis
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Press Release: Sandoval-Dillard bill would bring sunshine to more than $1.1 billion in state spending
5/8/2012

State Sens. Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) and Kirk Dillard (R-Westmont) are sponsoring legislation that would bring accountability and transparency to the way state grant dollars are spent.
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Institute on ABC 7: Skirmish over teacher pensions
5/4/2012

The Institute's John Tillman discusses whether or not teachers are actually paying their share of their pension costs.
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Institute on FOX St. Louis: Legislative Pensions
5/4/2012

The Institute's Collin Hitt appeared on FOX St. Louis to discuss legislative pensions.
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Institute on ABC 7: Playing Favorites
5/3/2012

The Institute's John Tillman appeared on ABC 7 to discuss our latest pension report, Playing Favorites.
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Press Release: Institute releases major report on teacher pensions
5/3/2012

Illinois Policy Institute report supports ending state practice of paying "employer share" of teacher pension costs.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: Report on pensions worth studying
5/3/2012

The Institute's pension report was featured in this editorial in the Rockford Register Star.
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Institute on FOX Business: Illinois' pensions problems continue to hamper state
5/2/2012

The Institute's John Tillman discussed Illinois' ongoing pension problems on FOX Business this morning.
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Institute in Washington Post: Illinois is out of money and time
4/26/2012

Illinois is still reality-averse, so Americans may soon learn the importance of the freedom to fail in a system of competitive federalism.
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Media Alert: Cook County Circuit Judge Robert Lopez Cepero strikes down "Amazon tax" law in Illinois
4/25/2012

This law was signed by Gov. Quinn in March 2011 and went into effect in July 2011. It was meant as a revenue grab but instead drove technology-based jobs out of Illinois, most notably, FatWallet.com and CouponCabin.com.
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John Tillman on Chicago Tonight: How to reform Medicaid
4/20/2012

The Institute's John Tillman appeared on Chicago Tonight to discuss how to save Illinois' Medicaid program.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Don't take away our plastic bags
4/16/2012

The Chicago Tribune published this editorial by the Institute's Kristina Rasmussen.
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Institute on Peoria TV: Local government websites not making the grade in transparency audit
4/12/2012

The Institute's Director of Outreach, Brian Costin, appeared on Peoria TV to discuss the lack of transparency on local government websites.
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Institute in Northwest Herald: After many denials, TRS changes stance on pension viability
4/12/2012

The Northwest Herald published this guest column by the Institute's Diana Rickert.
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Institute on FOX Business: Illinois' debt clock ticking toward detonation
4/11/2012

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen appeared on Varney & Co. on FOX Business to discuss how Illinois' unfunded pensions and health care obligations are hurting the state budget.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: Surprise! You owe another $54 billion
4/9/2012

The Chicago Tribune editorialized about the Institute's latest report on retiree health care.
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Interactive dashboard: Fitch ranks states based on debt and pensions
4/3/2012

Fitch Ratings ranked the states by their debt burdens and pension obligations compared to personal income. Is it a surprise Illinois had the second worst ranking?
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Institute in Northwest Herald: Lawmakers headed in right direction, but still have long way to go
4/2/2012

The Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was quoted in an editorial published by the Northwest Herald which evaluated the Governor's budget in comparison to Budget Solutions 2013, an annual alternative to the Governor's state budget.
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Institute in Daily Herald: Illinois trial judges are the highest paid in the nation
4/2/2012

The Daily Herald published an editorial that highlighted a recent story about Illinois trial judges being the highest in the nation. The story featured research and commentary from the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Institute on ABC-7 Chicago: Retired teachers could face pension cuts
4/2/2012

Institute CEO John Tillman talks with ABC-7 about the Illinois Teachers Retirement System potentially running dry by 2029.
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Institute in AP story: Chicago embarks on $7 billion infrastructure plan
3/30/2012

Illinois Policy Institute Senior Fellow Leonard Gilroy was interviewed by the Associated Press about Mayor Emmanuel's $7 billion public-private partnership plan for Chicago.
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Institute in Illinois Statehouse News: Former U of I president gets golden parachute
3/30/2012

The Institute's senior director of government affairs, Collin Hitt, was quoted in an Illinois Statehouse News article about a former University of Illinois President receiving a golden parachute funded by the students and taxpayers.
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Interactive dashboard: Taxes on meals
3/29/2012

Chicago has the second highest taxes on meals of the 50 largest U.S. cities. Check out the Institute's interactive dashboard on meal taxes to see how we stack up.
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Institute on WTAX: ObamaCare harms poor and worsens deficit
3/27/2012

The Institute's health care policy analyst, Jonathan Ingram, was a guest on Morning NewsWatch with Bob Murray on WTAX radio in Springfield. Jonathan discussed the Supreme Court hearing opening arguments in the case against ObamaCare.
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Liberty Justice Center on CLTV: Supreme Court hears oral arguments on ObamaCare
3/27/2012

Jacob Huebert, Associate Counsel at the Liberty Justice Center, was a guest on "Politics Tonight" with Paul Lisnek on CLTV. Jacob discussed the issue of constitutionality of ObamaCare and what it could mean for Congressional powers in the future.
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Institute in Washington Examiner: ObamaCare has already failed in Illinois
3/26/2012

The Washington Examiner published an opinion piece by the Institute's health care policy analyst, Jonathan Ingram. Jonathan's piece highlights how Medicaid and the national health overhaul has affected President Obama's home state of Illinois.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: New IRS regulations will hurt taxpayers
3/26/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, was interviewed for a Chicago Tribune story about how overburdensome regulations from the IRS will affect taxpayers and small business people.
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John Tillman talks politics on "Public Affairs"
3/21/2012

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on "Public Affairs" with host Jeff Berkowitz to discuss rising gas prices, school choice, the Illinois primary elections and other current events.
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Institute on FOX Business: Presidential hopefuls stump in Illinois
3/19/2012

The Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen appeared on "Varney & Co." to discuss the upcoming presidential primary in Illinois.
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Lawmaker to get public pension from private job
3/19/2012

Collin Hitt, senior director of government affairs at the Institute, was quoted in an Illinois Statehouse News story about state Rep. Roger Eddy.
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Liberty Justice Center in Reason: One woman is fighting back against Bloomington's taxi cartels
3/19/2012

Liberty Justice Center attorney Jacob Heubert was mentioned in a Reason magazine news story about the case of Julie Crowe, whose vehicle-for-hire application was denied due to the political influence of her would-be competitors.
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Institute on WROK: Budget Solutions 2013
3/15/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, was a guest on "Riley & Scot" on WROK Newstalk 1440 to discuss the Institute's release of "Budget Solutions 2013," a nine-step turnaround plan that would save Illinois $7 billion.
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Institute in Crain's: Cook County property taxes soared at twice inflation rate in a decade
3/13/2012

Ted Dabrowski, the Institute's vice president of policy, was featured in Crain's Chicago Business.
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Institute on CLTV: Illinois budget alternative
3/9/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, appeared on "Politics Tonight" to discuss the Institute's release of "Budget Solutions: 2013," a nine-step plan to save the state $7 billion.
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Institute on WBBM: Alternative state budget plan
3/9/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, was featured on WBBM Newsradio in an excerpt from Thursday's press conference releasing the Institute's fourth annual alternative to governor's state budget.
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Marc Levine's letter to editor featured in Wall Street Journal
3/8/2012

"Sallie Krawcheck's 'Money-Market Funds Aren't What You Think' (op-ed, Feb. 29) is, I hope, the start of a well-deserved dissection of this misunderstood and dangerous industry."
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PRESS RELEASE: Institute to release $7 billion state turnaround plan
3/7/2012

The Institute is releasing its fourth annual alternative to the governor’s budget. This year’s release, dubbed “Budget Solutions 2013,” outlines nine steps that lawmakers can take to save $7 billion and put the state back on the path to fiscal solvency.
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Media advisory: Who can beat Obama? Ask Illinois.
3/7/2012

On March 20, Illinois voters will select who they think can best beat President Obama in November. The country will be watching, because no electorate knows Obama and his big-government, high-tax policies better than Illinois.
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Liberty Justice Center on Cities 92.9: Jacob Huebert interviewed about Julie Crowe case
2/29/2012

Jacob Huebert, attorney at the Liberty Justice Center, appeared on The Morning Rush with Robert Rees to discuss the case of Julie Crowe, an entrepreneur who is suing the city of Bloomington for arbitrarily denying her vehice-for-hire application.
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Liberty Justice Center on WEEK-TV: Woman sues Bloomington over business application
2/29/2012

Liberty Justice Center client Julie Crowe was featured on Central Illinois TV about the lawsuit she is filing against the city of Bloomington over her arbitrarily denied vehicle-for-hire license application.
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Liberty Justice Center on WJBC: Woman sues city over business license denial
2/29/2012

Liberty Justice Center attorneys Jacob Heubert and Greg Bedell were featured in a WJBC news article detailing their case involving Julie Crowe, a woman suing the city of Bloomington over denial of her vehicle-for-hire license application.
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Liberty Justice Center on CBS-Peoria: Woman suing Bloomington over right to start business
2/29/2012

Liberty Justice Center attorney Jacob Heubert was featured in a Central Illinois TV news story to discuss how the city of Bloomington is not giving Crowe a fair shot at competition.
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Liberty Justice Center in Pantagraph: Woman sues city over van-for-hire request
2/29/2012

Liberty Justice Center attorneys Jacob Heubert and Greg Bedell were featured in a Pantagraph news story about the case of Julie Crowe, a woman suing the city of Bloomington for her vehicle-for-hire license application being denied to limit competition.
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Institute on WSOY: How Obamacare will impact you and your family
2/28/2012

Jonathan Ingram, healthcare policy analyst at the Institute, appeared on WSOY to discuss how the federal health overhaul will affect Illinois families.
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Greg Bedell's letter to the editor featured in Wall Street Journal
2/28/2012

Greg Bedell, chief counsel of the Liberty Justice Center, had a letter to the editor featured in the Wall Street Journal
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Institute on FOX Business: Quinn budget needs to match rhetoric
2/24/2012

Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president at the Institute, appeared on Varney & Co. on FOX Business to discuss the mismatch between Gov. Quinn's rhetoric and the content of his budget documents.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Quinn's budget address
2/23/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, appeared on Chicago Tonight to discuss Gov. Quinn's budget address.
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Institute on CLTV: Quinn proposed cuts to Medicaid
2/22/2012

Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy at the Institute, appeared on "Politics Tonight" to discuss Gov. Quinn's proposal to cut $2 billion from Medicaid.
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Institute on FOX Business: Why Caterpillar won't build in Illinois
2/21/2012

Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the Institute, appeared on Varney & Co. on FOX Business to discuss Caterpillar's decision to bypass Illinois and build its new factory in Georgia.
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Institute on WBBM: Seizing tax refunds won’t help city budget
2/16/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, spoke with John Cody on WBBM about the new city measure to intercept state income tax refunds from scofflaws.
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Institute on CBS 2 Chicago: Lawmakers push for fiscal notes
2/16/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, spoke with Mike Parker on CBS 2 Chicago about fiscal notes.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Taxpayers pay nearly $4 million for alley
2/14/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, appeared on FOX Chicago to discuss the Water Reclamation District's taxpayer-funded lawsuits over alley property.
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Institute on CBS 2 Chicago: New program offers high school dropouts a second chance
2/13/2012

Ted Dabrowski, vice president of policy at the Institute, discusses the Youth Connection Charter School program with Dana Kozlov on CBS 2 Chicago.
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Institute in Daily Herald: Put a price tag on every Illinois bill
2/10/2012

The Daily Herald editorial board responds to a story which featured a report from the Institute about fiscal notes.
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Ted Dabrowski in Crain's Chicago Business
2/6/2012

Crain's Chicago Business published a letter to the editor written by the Institute's Vice President of Policy Ted Dabrowski.
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Kristina Rasmussen in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Illinois' path offers lesson
2/2/2012

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a guest editorial written by the Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen.
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Institute on FOX Business: Illinois unemployment rate hits 9.8%
1/31/2012

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, appeared on Varney & Co. on FOX Business to discuss Illinois' recent unemployment numbers.
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Institute on WTAX Springfield: Institute's pension calculator
1/31/2012

Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the Institute, spoke with Bob Murray on WTAX about the Institute's new pension calculator.
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Press release: Pension calculator compares public, private retirements
1/26/2012

Website calculates how much money private sector workers would need to save for retirement to match government pension amounts
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Interactive dashboard: Explore the numbers behind "Wrong way, Illinois"
1/26/2012

Illinois was one of only four states to see their unemployment rates increase from January 2011 to December 2011. Use our interactive dashboard to explore the numbers behind "Wrong way, Illinois," the Institute's latest policy report.
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Institute on FOX St. Louis: Unreformed pensions lead to Moody's downgrade
1/18/2012

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman spoke with Elliott Davis from FOX St. Louis about Moody's recent downgrade of Illinois' debt.
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PRESS RELEASE: Radogno, Cross and Illinois Policy Institute: IL tax hike a “failure”
1/12/2012

In the year since Illinois enacted record tax increases, the state's unemployment numbers have worsened, businesses have fled the state and the backlog of bills remains in the billions.
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See what they're saying about "Pensions vs. schools"
1/9/2012

Last week the Institute released a series of reports looking at how pension costs will affect school spending. Here is what they're saying about it.
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Institute on WTAX Springfield: Pensions vs. schools
1/6/2012

Collin Hitt talks about the Institute's Pensions vs. schools report series.
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Institute in Forbes: The southern U.S. states experiencing an economic renaissance
1/5/2012

The Institute's migration report was featured in Forbes.
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Institute in Crain's: Cost of teacher pensions swamping classroom needs
1/5/2012

The Institute's Pensions vs. schools: Higher education report was featured in Crain's Chicago Business.
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Institute in DeKalb Daily Chronicle
12/22/2011

Kristina Rasmussen, Executive vice president of the Illinois Policy Institute, wrote a piece that was published by the Daily Chronicle.
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What they're saying about FutureGen
12/21/2011

Kristina Rasmussen, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute, participated in a press conference to speak against FutureGen.
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PRESS RELEASE: 1 taxpayer left Illinois every 10 minutes
12/21/2011

Review of IRS data shows rampant out-migration to states with lower taxes and housing costs, border states
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Institute in Daily Chronicle: Calculating a fair way to tax online purchases
12/21/2011

Kristina Rasmussen, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute wrote a guest editorial in the Daily Chronicle about online tax collection.
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Institute in The Wall Street Journal: Liberals love the 1%
12/20/2011

The Institute's research was featured in The Wall Street Journal.
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Institute in The Wall Street Journal: The Chicago expulsion act of 2011
12/19/2011

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, spoke with The Wall Street Journal about Illinois politics.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: More companies will want tax breaks
12/15/2011

Kristina Rasmussen, Executive vice president of the Illinois Policy Institute, spoke with FOX Chicago about the tax cuts given to CME, Sears and other businesses
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Institute in Illinois Statehouse News: IL union bosses could still double dip into pensions
12/14/2011

Collin Hitt, the senior director of government affairs at the Illinois Policy Institute, spoke with the Illinois Statehouse News about public sector pensions.
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Institute in The Washington Times: Indiana jumps on Illinois’ image as bad for business
12/13/2011

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute speaks about the State's out of control spending.
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Institute on WCIA 3 News: Blago cost Illinois $14 billion
12/13/2011

Kristina Rasmussen, Executive Vice President of the Illinois Policy Institute, speaks with WCIA 3 News about the Institute's cost of Blago report.
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Institute on WEEK-TV: Integrating technology into the classroom
12/13/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute and the Peoria Chamber of Commerce hosted a discussion about digital learning with former West Virgina Gov. Bob Wise. The event was covered on TV in Central Illinois.
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Institute in The Wall Street Journal: Corporate carve-out revolt
12/12/2011

Collin Hitt, the Institute's senior director of government affairs, was quoted in The Wall Street Journal about the cost of a tax break for select companies in Illinois
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"Blago vs. Illinois taxpayers" on ABC-7 Chicago
12/8/2011

ABC-7 Chicago featured the Illinois Policy Institute's latest report, "Blago vs. Illinois taxpayers" on Chuck Goudie's I-Team report.
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See what they're saying about "Blago vs. Illinois taxpayers"
12/8/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's latest report, Blago vs. Illinois taxpayers, was featured in numerous media outlets.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Blago's legacy of spending and debt
12/6/2011

The Institute's new paper on the cost of Blago was featured on FOX Chicago.
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Interactive job growth dashboard
12/6/2011

Check out job growth by state between 2000 to 2010 in our new interactive dashboard and see how Illinois stacks up.
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News release: Institute report prompts state officials to correct flaw with state Transparency and Accountability Portal
12/1/2011

Illinois Policy Institute report prompts state officials to correct flaw with state Transparency and Accountability Portal
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Institute on ABC-7 Chicago: Tax package offers little to the middle class
11/30/2011

Kristina Rasmussen talks with ABC-7 news about the proposed tax deal.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Tax break deserved by all, not favored few
11/30/2011

Kristina Rasmussen spoke with FOX Chicago about the proposed tax bill.
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Institute on WGN radio: Illinois better off rolling back tax hike for all
11/30/2011

Collin Hitt spoke with Mike McConnell on WGN radio about the proposed tax deal.
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Institute in Northwest Herald: State to put past salary data back online
11/30/2011

Past salaries of state employees will be put back on the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal, after the Institute discovered that they were removed after one year.
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Institute in Ottawa Daily Times: Thumbs up, thumbs down
11/28/2011

With the rotten state of public finances in Illinois, this is no time for the government to begin playing games with taxpayers.
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Institute in Illinois Statehouse News: Past salary info no longer on IL transparency website
11/24/2011

Illinois has a limit to how much information it is willing to share with the public on its transparency website.
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Lawmaker pensions: Full-time benefits for a part-time job
11/22/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Collin Hitt appears on FOX Springfield.
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Institute in Crystal Lake Patch: Report claims flaw found in Illinois Tranparency Portal
11/17/2011

According to the Institute's report, Now you see it, now you don't, the state has been removing information about how much state workers were paid in past years.
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Institute on ABC-7: Taxpayers getting nickel and dimed
11/16/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute did a quick accounting Tuesday morning and reported that so far this year a suburban family of four making $59,000 a year would pay an estimated $1,700 a year more with with all the increases in taxes and assorted fees.
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Institute in Wall Street Journal: CME, Sears deal "crony capitalism"
11/15/2011

Collin Hitt, the Institute's senior director of government affairs, was quoted in The Wall Street Journal about a tax break for select major companies in Illinois.
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Institute in Illinois Issues: Two sides of the pension debate
11/9/2011

In February, Illinois borrowed $3.8 billion and paid a higher interest rate spread than any of the other 49 states. This means the financial markets believe that Illinois is the state most likely to default on its obligations.
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Marc Levine on Chicago Tonight: Why we need pension reform
11/9/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Senior Fellow Marc Levine appeared on Chicago Tonight to discuss the importance of pension reform.
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Why "Amazon Tax" should be repealed: Kristina Rasmussen on WTAX
10/27/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen discussed on WTAX-radio in Springfield why lawmakers should repeal the affiliate nexus law.
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Illinois open government
10/27/2011

An update on the Institute's Illinois open government website.
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John Tillman in Chicago Tribune: An Encounter with the Occupiers
10/20/2011

The Chicago Tribune published a commentary piece by Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman.
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Press Release: Not All Public School Teachers Pay 'Fair Share' of Pensions
10/13/2011

In nearly half of public school districts, teachers pay nothing toward their own retirement
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Press Release: McLean County Local Transparency Project
9/28/2011

The results from a Local Transparency Project audit in the Bloomington area.
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Pulse of Illinois on WROK-Rockford
9/26/2011

CEO John Tillman discussed the Institute's latest public opinion poll, Pulse of Illinois, on WROK-radio in Rockford.
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Pulse of Illinois on WMBD-Peoria
9/23/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was a guest on the Scott Robbins Show on WMBD-radio in Peoria.
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Pulse of Illinois on WTAX-Springfield
9/21/2011

The Institute's Mark Cavers was a guest on Bob Murray's morning radio show on WTAX-Springfield to discuss the findings of the September 2011 poll.
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Pulse of Illinois on WMAY-Springfield
9/20/2011

The Institute's Mark Cavers discusses the results of the Illinois Policy Institute and Manhattan Institute's poll, Pulse of Illinois, on WMAY radio in Springfield.
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Pulse of Illinois on ConnectFM
9/20/2011

The Institute's Government Reform Policy Analyst, Mark Cavers, was a guest on ConnectFM in Champaign.
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More Bad Jobs Numbers for Illinois
9/19/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen, was a guest on ConnectFM in Champaign.
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Liberty Leader in Southtown Star "District 230 fees hard to justify"
9/9/2011

"District 230, you see, has chosen to keep fees high even though it has been running multimillion-dollar budget surpluses for years."
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John Tillman on FOX Chicago: Quinn Using State Workers as Pawns
9/9/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago to discuss Gov. Quinn's proposal to close several state facilities and layoff state workers.
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John Tillman on Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz
9/6/2011

John and Jeff discuss whether it's too late to repeal the state income tax increase, Chicago Public Schools spending $15,000 per student and the possibility of doubling tollroad rates.
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Quinn Budget Cuts: Fiscal Austerity, or Political Posturing?
9/6/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen appeared on NBC-17 Springfield to discuss the governor's proposed budget cuts.
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Unions No Longer Help to Preserve Jobs
9/4/2011

Matt Patterson, the Illinois Policy Institute's Senior Fellow, National Correspondent, had an op-ed published in the Rockford Register Star.
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John Tillman Appears on "Public Affairs"
9/1/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute CEO joined "Public Affairs" host Jeff Berkowitz for a wide-ranging discussion of Illinois's political landscape and economic condition.
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Why Is Illinois Bleeding Jobs?
9/1/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Business Network to explain how January's income tax hike has stifled economic recovery and why President Obama must learn from Gov. Quinn's mistakes.
read more...

Suburban Life Newspapers Highlight Local Transparency Improvements
8/31/2011

The Institute's Brian Costin was featured in press coverage of recent Local Transparency Project results for Countryside and Riverside.
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Institute in Forbes.com: Will President Obama Put Ideology or Jobs First?
8/29/2011

A Forbes op-ed contributor used Institute to demonstrate the inhospitable business climate that failed policies have created in Illinois.
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Ted Dabrowski Discusses Illinois's Nation-Leading Job Losses on WTAX-AM
8/26/2011

The Institute's Vice President of Policy linked the state's dismal economic performance to Springfield's failed policies.
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John Tillman Traces Illinois Job Losses to Hostile Business Climate on WLS-AM
8/23/2011

The Institute's CEO joined hosts Don Wade & Roma to discuss the Institute's recent findings that Illinois lost more jobs in July than any other state.
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Ted Dabrowski Talks Taxes, Job Losses on WMAY-AM
8/23/2011

The Institute's Vice President of Policy joined WMAY-AM Springfield host Ray Lytle to discuss how increasing Illinoisans' tax burden harms the state's economic climate.
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John O'Hara Talks Obamacare on "Politics Tonight"
8/22/2011

The Institute's Vice President of External Relations participated in an extended debate of national health care reform on CLTV's "Politics Tonight."
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Why Doesn't the State Fair Turn a Profit?
8/16/2011

Senior Budget and Tax Policy Analyst Amanda Griffin-Johnson was featured in a Moline Dispatch/Rock Island Argus story about Illinois's unprofitable state fair.
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John O'Hara Discusses the Debt-Reduction "Super Committee" on Chicago Tonight
8/12/2011

The Institute's Vice President of External Relations was a featured guest on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the "super committee" charged with reducing the federal debt.
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See What They're Saying: Orland Park First in Illinois to Earn Perfect Local Transparency Score
8/12/2011

Orland Park's collaboration with the Institute to earn 100% on the Local Transparency Project rubric has generated significant buzz surrounding government accountability.
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Illinois Buzzing about Lawmakers' Expensive Allowances, Travel
8/11/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was featured in a Daily Herald report detailing the daily allowances and travel expenses afforded state legislators.
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John Tillman Discusses the Downgrade on FOX Chicago
8/8/2011

The Institute's CEO appeared on FOX Chicago news with Robin Robinson to debate the reasons for, and potential impact of, the recent credit downgrade.
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John O'Hara in New York Times: Fiscal Reality Demands Spending Cuts
8/2/2011

The Institute's Vice President of External Relations was featured in a New York Times "Room for Debate" feature on conservative Republicans' approach to debt ceiling negotiations.
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Illinois's Balanced-Budget Provision Falls Short
8/1/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman was featured in a Northwest Herald report highlighting shortcomings of the state constitution's balanced budget requirement.
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Bloomington Pantagraph: Institute's Hard Work Underscores Need for Transparency
7/28/2011

Obstacles confronted by the Institute in compiling "Out of Sync" prompted the Bloomington Pantagraph to demand comprehensive, statewide government workforce information.
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Adopt-a-District Training Featured on WIFR-TV Rockford
7/27/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Adopt-a-District Rockford training seminar was featured on the evening news for the area's CBS affiliate.
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Low Turnover Shows State Workers "Know a Good Thing When They've Got It"
7/25/2011

An editorial from the Sauk Valley News highlighted "Out of Sync," the Institute's new report on employee compensation in Illinois.
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See What They're Saying: Out of Sync
7/25/2011

A collection of the earned media from the report, "Out of Sync: Government and Private Employee Compensation in Illinois."
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Illinois Must Rebalance Pay, Benefits
7/24/2011

A guest op-ed by Ted Dabrowski, the Illinois Policy Institute's Vice President of Policy, was published in the Belleville News Democrat.
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Time for Public-Union Temper Tantrums
7/22/2011

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen penned an op-ed published in the Washington Times.
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Herald & Review: Compensation Gap Shows Taxpayers, Not State Workers, Are Treated Unfairly
7/21/2011

Based on "Out of Sync," the Institute's new report on employee compensation, the Decatur Herald & Review editorial board concludes that reform is needed at both state and local levels.
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NW Herald: Hard to Say that Public Employees Aren't Paid Fairly
7/21/2011

After studying the Institute's new report on employee compensation, Northwest Herald editor Kevin Lyons concludes, "it’s getting harder and harder to say that public employees aren’t getting paid fairly or more than fairly now."
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Kristina Rasmussen Discusses the Federal Debt Limit on "Extension 720"
7/21/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President appeared on the WGN-AM fixture to discuss the federal government's fiscal woes.
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"Out of Sync" Featured in The Southern Illinoisan
7/20/2011

The Southern reported on the Institute's new report that illustrates a growing gap in compensation between the two sectors.
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Ted Dabrowski Featured in ABC-7 "Out of Sync" Coverage
7/20/2011

Vice President of Policy Ted Dabrowski was interviewed for an ABC-7 Chicago report on "Out of Sync," the Institute's new report on employee compensation in Illinois.
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Wendell Cox Discusses "Out of Sync" on WMAY
7/19/2011

Wendell Cox, a Visiting Scholar with the Illinois Policy Institute, discussed "Out of Sync," his new report on employer compensation in Illinois, with Jim Leach on WMAY-AM.
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Kristina Rasmussen Talks "Out of Sync" on WTAX
7/19/2011

Executive Vice President joined WTAX host Bob Murray to discuss the Institute's new report on employee compensation.
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Collin Hitt Discusses "Out of Sync" on WAND-TV
7/19/2011

The Institute's Senior Director of Government Affairs laid out the growing disparity between compensation for state workers and private employees on the central Illinois NBC affiliate.
read more...

Ted Dabrowski Talks "Out of Sync" on WBBM-AM
7/19/2011

Comments the Vice President of Policy were featured in a WBBM Newsradio report on "Out of Sync," the Institute's new report on employee compensation in Illinois.
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ConnectFM Interviews Ted Dabrowski, Highlights "Out of Sync"
7/19/2011


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Kristina Rasmussen Discusses "Out of Sync" on WROK
7/19/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen joined WROK-AM host Scot Bertram to discuss "Out of Sync," the Institute's new report highlighting the disparity between state employees' compensation and that of the private sector.
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John Tillman on State Fair Subsidies
7/18/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's CEO was quoted in a SmartMoney.com report on the behind-the-scenes costs of state fairs.
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Don't Pay Big Brother to Do What Dad Can
7/17/2011

The Institute's recent report, "Get Out the Veto Pen," was featured with commentary from Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen in a Scott Reeder column published in the Quad Cities Dispatch.
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Capital Construction Plan Riddled with Pork
7/13/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago to discuss the state supreme court's decision to green light the capital construction bill.
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Kristina Rasmussen Talks State Employees' Raises on FOX Business
7/10/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President appeared on "America's Nightly Scorecard" to discuss Gov. Quinn's decision to union leaders' demands for a third pay hike this year despite a lack of funds.
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Ted Dabrowski Talks Policy on "Public Affairs"
7/10/2011

The Institute's Vice President for Policy joined local-access host Jeff Berkowitz for a wide-ranging interview.
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Chicago Unions, Aldermen Say City Taxes Too Low
7/7/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman was featured in a Mike Flannery report on FOX Chicago.
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Tax Hikes Fuel Surge in State Revenue
7/7/2011

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen was quoted in an Illinois Statehouse News report.
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John Tillman on Canceling Raises for State Employees
7/6/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman's comments were featured on WBBM-AM Chicago and WJBC-AM Bloomington.
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John Tillman Discusses Quinn's Fake "Cuts" on Chicago Tonight
7/5/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on WTTW-Chicago's "Chicago Tonight" to discuss Springfield's budget gimmickry.
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Investigative Reporting Update
7/1/2011


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Kristina Rasmussen Talks Entitlement Waste and Fraud on FOX Business
7/1/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President, joining host Elizabeth MacDonald, called on the Obama administration to crack down on entitlement abuse.
read more...

Illinois Legislators' Stipends Are Second-Highest Nationwide
6/29/2011

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen was featured in a Daily Herald report about Illinois legislators' $1.7 million stipends.
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John Tillman Discusses Blagojevich Conviction on Extension 720
6/27/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on "Extension 720" with Milt Rosenberg.
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John Tillman Discusses Ald. Burke's Security Detail on FOX Chicago
6/24/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago News to discuss Ald. Ed Burke's four-officer security detail.
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John Tillman Talks "Budget FAIL" on FOX Chicago
6/23/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago's "Good Day Chicago" to outline Springfield's unwillingness to reduce spending.
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"Budget FAIL" Discussed on WROK-AM Rockford
6/23/2011

John Tillman, the Institute's CEO, joined host Scot Bertram to highlight problems in, and alternatives to, Springfield's 2012 budget.
read more...

Collin Hitt Discusses "Budget FAIL" on WTAX-AM
6/22/2011

Collin Hitt joined host Bob Murray to discuss the Institute's recent "Budget FAIL" findings.
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Cisco Cotto Discusses "Budget FAIL" on WLS
6/21/2011

John Tillman joined Cisco Cotto in studio just to tell him how bad the budget plan that the Governor is championing is to Illinois. How, according to John, is Governor Quinn hiding the fact that this budget will send Illinois into financial ruin?
read more...

Jim Leach Discusses "Budget FAIL" on WMAY
6/21/2011

Jim talks with Collin Hitt of the Illinois Policy Institute about Illinois's budget.
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IL Statehouse News on "Budget FAIL"
6/21/2011

An Illinois Statehouse News report published in the Kane County Chronicle featured Collin Hitt's remarks at the Institute's "Budget FAIL" press conference in Springfield.
read more...

Springfield's Spending Hike Requires a Suspension of Reality
6/20/2011

Collin Hitt's comments on the accounting gimmicks present in the proposed budget plan were featured in Quad Cities newspapers.
read more...

State Retirees' Health Care Among the Nation's Most Generous
6/19/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was featured in a Rockford Register Star report concerning the costs to taxpayers of retired public employees' health insurance plans.
read more...

Northwest Herald Covers "Budget FAIL"
6/18/2011

State government in Illinois is poised to spend more in fiscal 2012 than it did in fiscal 2011.
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Are You Paying for a Parking Lot You'll Never Use?
6/17/2011

CBS-2 Chicago featured Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen in an investigation into the diversion of state funds to lower- priority local line items.
read more...

John Tillman Discusses "The Pulse of Illinois" on WGN
6/16/2011

The Institute's CEO joined Milt Rosenberg to discuss the results of a poll commissioned in May by the Institute.
read more...

Transparency Audit of Evanston Governments Yields Mixed Results
6/15/2011

Several news outlets seized on the sizable disparity between the transparency scores earned by several of Evanston's governmental entities.
read more...

Education Reform Law Is a First Step
6/14/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was interviewed in a Kankakee Daily Journal report on the recently passed education reform bill.
read more...

Immediate Pension Reform Is Needed
6/13/2011

The Institute's Mark Cavers discussed the pressing need for pension reform in a letter to the Sauk Valley newspapers.
read more...

So Much for "Necessary Services"
6/12/2011

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen tackled excessive state spending in a guest editorial for the Belleville News-Democrat.
read more...

Government Workers Can Earn More by Retiring
6/12/2011

The Rockford Register Star turned to the Institute's Collin Hitt to shed light on the need for state employees to contribute a proportionate share towards their generous pensions.
read more...

CBS-2 Chicago Features Institute's "Get Out the Veto Pen" Findings
6/9/2011

The local evening news featured the Institute's call for Gov. Quinn to cut bait on the Urban Fishing program and other wasteful line items.
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Institute's Job Loss Research Cited in Wall Street Journal
6/9/2011

A WSJ editorial turned to a recent policy chart by the Illinois Policy Institute to slam the state's hostile economic climate and Gov. Quinn's big business favor factory.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Releases Top 10 Most Obviously Wasteful State Programs in 2012 Budget
6/9/2011

While Illinois lawmakers have been busy patting themselves on the back for supposedly reining in state spending, the Illinois Policy Institute has identified nearly $50 million in wasteful state programs that should be vetoed from the 2012 budget.
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Institute on ABC-7 Chicago: Major Employer Threatens to Flee Illinois
6/9/2011

ABC's Charles Thomas inteviewed Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman regarding the CME Group's threat to leave Illinois after lawmakers hiked corporate tax rates.
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Suburban County Board Members Get Lifetime Pensions for Part-Time Jobs
6/8/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was quoted in a Daily Herald article outlining the $1.2 million impact of DuPage and Will Counties' special pensions systems.
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Institute in DeKalb Daily Chronicle: State’s Double Talk on Breast-Feeding Not Productive
6/7/2011

The Institute's Kristina Ramussen penned a guest editorial highlighting the conflicting impact of two state policies on nursing mothers in Illinois.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Governor's Job Loss Threats Misleading
6/6/2011

Illinois lawmakers should reject Governor Quinn's ploy to hold road funds hostage for more agency spending and wasteful earmarks.
read more...

Institute in Rockford Registar Star: Lawmakers Show No Spine
6/3/2011

A guest columnist praised the Institute as "focused like a laser on the state’s debt load."
read more...

An Open Letter to Congress: Don’t Bail Out Our State
6/1/2011

Even after passing the largest tax increase in Illinois’s history earlier this year, lawmakers in Springfield continue to spend beyond their means, writes the Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen.
read more...

Budget Approved By Legislators Still Too Big
6/1/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt described the 1 percent budget reduction on the Governor's desk as a broken promise.
read more...

Institute on WTAX Springfield: Statehouse Stalls on Pensions
6/1/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt joined WTAX morning host Bob Murray to discuss pensions and the budget.
read more...

Institute in Southern Illinoisan: Pension Debt Could Be Crushing
5/31/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Collin Hitt commented on the Institute's estimate that pension costs in higher education could eclipse state appropriations as soon as 2012.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: Pension Reform Matters to All
5/28/2011

The Institute's Executive Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen, penned an editorial about pension reform in the Rockford Register Star.
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Institute in Northwest Herald: Voters Becoming More Fiscally Conservative
5/28/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman was quoted in a Northwest Herald column about a poll commissioned by the Institute.
read more...

Institute in Chicago Sun-Times: Unions Will Regret Not Fixing Pensions
5/28/2011

Marc Levine, a senior fellow with the Illinois Policy Institute, penned an editorial in the Chicago Sun-Times about the need for pension reform.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Institute Urging Support for Pension Reform
5/26/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute is urging lawmakers to support SB512, the pension reform bill introduced this week. This bill would protect the pensions that public employees have earned to date while helping Illinois regain its fiscal solvency.
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Working for State Government Pays
5/25/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was interviewed by WCIA-3 News about the pay disparity between public and private sector workers.
read more...

Poll: Illinois Headed in Wrong Direction
5/25/2011

ABC-20 Springfield reported on pollster Scott Rasmussen's visit to the Illinois Policy Institute.
read more...

Harper College President Expense Account: Like A "Petty Cash Fund"
5/23/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman was quoted in a May 22 Daily Herald story about the way Harper College President Ken Ender uses his taxpayer-funded expense account.
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Drowning in Debt and Promises
5/19/2011

Dan Proft on FOX Chicago discussing the Illinois state worker pension reform.
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Big Business Bribes Bad for Business
5/18/2011

John Tillman on FOX Chicago discussing Illinois spending $230M to keep businesses from leaving the state.
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Institute in Associated Press: More Public-Private Partnerships Ahead?
5/17/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute was included in an Associated Press story about public and private partnerships and state construction projects.
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: Cigarette Tax Could Prompt Tobacco Smuggling
5/13/2011

Kristina Rasmussen published in Belleville News Democrat discussing how cigarette tax could lead to tobacco smuggling.
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Institute in Illinois Statehouse News: Education Reform Getting President's Attention
5/12/2011

Collin Hitt was quoted in an Illinois Statehouse News story about education reform.
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Institute on WMAY: Pension Reform
5/12/2011

Collin Hitt discussed pension reform on WMAY-Springfield with host Greg Bishop.
read more...

Institute on ABC-7 Chicago: State Offers Companies Cash, Incentives to Stay in Ill.
5/11/2011

John O'Hara on ABC-7 Chicago discussing tax breaks given by Gov. Quinn to businesses who threaten to leave the state.
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Institute in Heartland Institute podcast
5/6/2011

John Tillman was a guest on Steve Stanek's Budget & Tax News podcast. They discussed standing up to government unions and bringing the state's huge unfunded pension liabilities under control.
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Institute in Crain's Chicago Business: Illinois Must Back Pension Reform
5/4/2011

Crain's Chicago Business published an editorial by Illinois Policy Institute Chairman Andy McKenna about pension reform.
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Institute in the Springfield State Journal-Register
5/3/2011

Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was published in the State Journal-Register discussing Rep. Paul Ryan's federal budget proposal.
read more...

Institute on FOX Chicago: Illinois Lawmakers Considering New School Voucher Bill
5/3/2011

John Tillman on FOX Chicago discussing school voucher plans.
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: Cities Worry about Proposed State Cuts to Local Governments
5/2/2011

Collin Hitt in Belleville News Democrat discussing government spending priorities.
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Institute in Washington Post: Tax Storm in Illinois
4/29/2011

Washington Post columnist George Will turned to an Illinois Policy Institute study to explain the migration of people and tax dollars out of Illinois.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Online Learning Inspires Praise, Suspicion
4/25/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was quoted in the Chicago Tribune about online learning for Illinois high school students.
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Institute in Crain's: Illinois Needs a Solution to Pension Crisis, Not More Taxes or Debt
4/25/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Senior Fellow Marc Levine and State Senator Bill Brady have a op-ed featured in Crain's Chicago Business.
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Institute on CBS 2 Chicago: Education Reforms a Positive Step
4/14/2011

John Tillman appeared on CBS 2 Chicago to discuss the benefits of landmark education reforms that passed the Illinois Senate last week.
read more...

Institute in Glencoe News: Glencoe Wins Transparency Award
4/13/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute applauded the village of Glencoe for earning a record high score in the Local Transparency Project.
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Institute in Newark Star-Ledger: Ex-Port Authority Head to Promote High-speed Rail
4/13/2011

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen was quoted as a national expert on high sped rail in a Newark Star Ledger story.
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Institute in Pioneer Press: Local Government Funding
4/11/2011

Institute's Collin Hitt in Franklin Park Herald-Journal discussing a suggested cut in the share of state collected taxes.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: IDOT Minutemen Earn Lucrative Overtime
4/8/2011

John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago to discuss IDOT workers who are raking in enormous amounts of overtime pay.
read more...

Institute on FOX St. Louis: Extravagant Administrator Salaries in East St. Louis Schools
3/30/2011

Collin Hitt on FOX St. Louis discussing East St. Louis Schools
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: Officials Tout High-Speed Rail Construction
3/24/2011

The Institute's Collin Hitt was quoted in Belleville News Democrat about high-speed rail.
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Institute on CBS News: Controversy Brewing at City Colleges
3/22/2011

John Tillman on CBS News discussing Chicago’s City Colleges' spending.
read more...

Budget Solutions 2012 in Sauk Valley Newspapers
3/15/2011

The Sauk Valley Newspapers editorial board encouraged Gov. Quinn to consider ideas from Budget Solutions 2012 in an editorial published March 15.
read more...

Institute in Decatur Herald and Review
3/14/2011

The Decatur Herald and Review published wrote about the Illinois Policy Institute's "Transparency Checklist" in an editorial about Sunshine Week.
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Budget Solutions 2012 on WMAY in Springfield
3/12/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman spoke on 970-AM WMAY about Budget Solutions 2012, a balanced, line-by-line alternative to the budget proposed by Gov. Quinn.
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PRESS RELEASE: Institute Offers the Suggestions Quinn Says He’s Waiting For
3/11/2011

Illinois is in a fiscal abyss, and without stringent reforms the state will continue failing. That’s why the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute has proposed “Budget Solutions 2012"...
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Don't Tax Retirement Benefits
3/9/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on FOX Chicago on March 9 to discuss Senate President John Cullerton's suggestion that retirement income be taxed.
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Budget Solutions 2012 in Crain's Chicago Business
3/9/2011

Crain's Chicago Business columnist Greg Hinz wrote about Budget Solutions 2012, the Institute's balanced alternative to Gov. Quinn's budget.
read more...

Budget Solutions 2012 in Illinois Statehouse News
3/9/2011

Illinois Statehouse News wrote a story and produced a video about the Institute's Budget Solutions 2012, which was released March 8.
read more...

Budget Solutions 2012 on WLS with Don Wade & Roma
3/9/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman discussed Budget Solutions 2012 with morning hosts Don Wade & Roma on WLS 890-AM.
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PRESS RELEASE: Think Tank Releases Alternative to Quinn’s Budget

3/8/2011

The nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute released today a balanced, line-by-line alternative to the budget proposed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn.
read more...

John Tillman's Budget Solutions 2012 Address
3/8/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman presents Budget Solutions 2012.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Union Fight Wages On
3/1/2011

The Institute's John O'Hara appeared on WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss the union battle in Wisconsin.
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Institute in New York Times: Corporate Giants Received TIF Money
2/28/2011

The Institute's Director of Government Reform, Kate Piercy, was quoted in a New York Times story about the use of TIF districts in Chicago.
read more...

Institute in Medill story: Experts Clash on Constitutionality of Borrowing to Balance State Budget
2/28/2011

Institute CEO John Tillman was featured in a story on the state budget.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: Our View - 2 states, 2 Different Budget Approaches
2/23/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute was mentioned in an editorial by the Rockford Register-Star.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Political Chaos in Wisconsin
2/22/2011

Illinois Policy Institute's Diana Rickert was a guest on the Tuesday night broadcast of "Chicago Tonight" discussing the union debacle in Wisconsin.
read more...

Institute on My 50 Chicago: Chicago Municipal Election 2011
2/20/2011

Illinois Policy Institute's John O'Hara was an in-studio guest on Monique Caradine's "Perspective" show Sunday on My FOX 50. He talked about the upcoming mayoral election and how voters can encourage Chicago's next mayor keeps their priorities in mind. 
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Institute in Belleville News Democrat: Legislators Ready to Redraw Districts; Dems Will Deal with Population Shifts
2/20/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, was quoted in a Belleville News Democrat story about legislative redistricting.
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Institute in The State Journal Register: Illinois Not Yet Wisconsin When it Comes to State Worker Unions
2/19/2011

John Tillman was quoted in a State Journal Register story about the unlikelihood that Gov. Quinn would take on public employee unions the way Gov. Walker is doing in Wisconsin.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: Could Wisconsin's Labor Rights 'Ruckus' Happen in Illinois?
2/18/2011

Illinois Policy Institute's Collin Hitt was quoted in a story in the Rockford Register Star about whether the union battles in Wisconsin could occur in Illinois.
read more...

Institute in Trib Local: Local Governments Receive Failing Grade in Transparency
2/18/2011

Illinois Policy Institute's Brian Costin is quoted in a story on local transparency.
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Institute in The Times of Ottowa: Tea Party Gathers Feb. 22 at IVCC
2/18/2011

Illinois Policy Institute's Mark Caver's upcoming visit to the Bureau LaSalle Tea Party meeting is mentioned in the Times of Ottawa.
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Institute on ABC Chicago: Reaction to the Governor's Budget Address
2/17/2011

The governor's budget address did not address the real problem of out of control spending, particularly in regard to public employee pensions.
read more...

Institute on Chicago Tonight: Budget Analysis
2/17/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, appeared as a panelist to discuss the governor's budget plan.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Wrong-Way Quinn
2/17/2011

The Chicago Tribune named the Illinois Policy Institute as one of the organizations that has proposed spending reforms in Springfield.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Quinn’s Budget Not Good Enough - Tillman
2/17/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, appeared on FOX Chicago to discuss Gov. Quinn's new budget proposal.
read more...

Institute on WLS with Cisco Cotto
2/17/2011

John Tillman was a guest on Cisco Cotto's Thursday morning show to talk about the problems with Gov. Quinn's budget.
read more...

Institute on WTAX Springfield: Quinn Cuts Not Enough
2/17/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Collin Hitt talked with WTAX morning host Bob Murray about why Gov. Quinn's budget is unsustainable and wrong for Illinois.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Statement on Gov. Quinn's Budget Address
2/16/2011

Since taking office, Gov. Quinn has avoided taking on the root causes of Illinois’s fiscal mess. Instead of reducing, restructuring and cutting spending, Gov. Quinn continues to pursue a policy of taxing, borrowing and spending at record rates.
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Institute in CNN Money: Illinois Governor Proposes Borrowing $8.7 Billion
2/16/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, featured in an article on Gov. Quinn's plan to borrow $8.7 Billion in attempt to pay off existing debt.
read more...

Institute on AM 560 WIND: Quinn Must Reign In Spending
2/16/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Policy, Collin Hitt, spoke with WIND's Big John & Amy about Gov. Quinn's budget.
read more...

Institute on FOX Business: Illinois Governor Asks to Borrow Billions to Pay State's Debt
2/15/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, on FOX Business discussing the $12.4 billion Gov. Quinn would like to borrow to pay down existing debt.
read more...

Institute in Chicagoist: County Tried Misusing Drug Tests
2/13/2011

Lee Williams, Institute Investigative Reporter, featured in an article on corruption in the Cook County Adult Probation Department.
read more...

Institute in Kane County Chronicle: Pension Reform in Illinois to Continue 'For the Good of Both Taxpayers and Employees'
2/12/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, featured in an article on reform of the state pension system.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: Our View - Clueless in Springfield, Lawmakers Hand Out Raises
2/12/2011

Institute featured in a story on the state's debt, tax hike, and raises in Springfield.
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PRESS RELEASE: Downers Grove, Willowbrook Take Top Scores in Transparency Audit
2/10/2011

The Downers Grove Park District and villages of Downers Grove and Willowbrook scored the highest of 16 public agencies recently evaluated in a government transparency audit. The audit was part of the Illinois Policy Institute’s Local Transparency Project.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: Illinois Fiscal Officers Look beyond Party Lines
2/7/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, featured in an article on the two newly elected Republican state-wide officials.
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Institute on WBEZ: The Politics of Snow
2/5/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's Daniel Anthony talked with WBEZ's Steve Edwards about why snow is a good proxy for how well government services its public.
read more...

Institute on ABC 7 Chicago: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Tries to Woo Illinois Business
2/4/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, in a story on New Jersey Gov. Christie and his campaign to move businesses from Illinois to New Jersey.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Tax Watchdogs Adding Up the Cost of 2011 Blizzard
2/4/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, on FOX Chicago discussing the city's response to the blizzard and the cost to the tax payers.
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Institute on FOX Chicago: Chicago's Response to the Storm
2/3/2011

Despite a monumental traffic debacle along Lake Shore Drive, the Illinois Policy Institute said Chicago City Hall did an “exceptional job” responding to the Great Blizzard of 2011.
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Institute in Wall Street Journal: Few Fingers Pointed at Daley for Lake Shore Drive
2/3/2011

Daniel Anthony and the Institute's Snow Squad featured in an article on Mayor Daley's response to the blizzard and the Lake Shore Dive clean up.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Street Clean-Up - Chicago Tonight Video - WTTW
2/3/2011

Daniel Anthony featured on Chicago Tonight discussing the blizzard of 2011.
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Institute on First Business: John Tillman Discusses Pension Crises Across the U.S.
1/31/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, on First Business discussing the pension funding shortfalls in Illinois and across the U.S., and answering the question of whether a federal bailout for Illinois is near.
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Institute in Real Clear Politics: The Worst is Yet to Come in Illinois
1/28/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's call to repeal the 66 percent tax increase is featured in an article on state pensions and the tax hike.
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Institute in Trib Local: Business Climate Explored at Summit
1/28/2011

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Public Policy Institute, spoke about tax increases recently passed by state lawmakers.
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Institute in Northwest Herald: End Pensions for Legislators
1/28/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute is featured in a story on the elimination of pensions for Illinois legislators.
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See What They're Saying: Cook County Adult Probation Investigation
1/28/2011

See where the Institute has been featured in the news regarding the investigation into the Cook County Adult Probation Department.
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Institute on NBC Chicago: Suit - Probation Office Failed to Monitor Sex Offender
1/27/2011

Institute's investigative reporter, Lee Williams, discusses a negligence suit filed against the Cook County Adult Probation Department and it's chief officer.
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Institute in FOX Chicago News: Sex Offender Acurie Collier Strikes Again, Some Ask Why He Wasn't Behind Bars
1/27/2011

A joint investigation by FOX Chicago News and the Illinois Policy Institute finds the agency in charge of keeping watch on that predator apparently dropped the ball.
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Institute in CBS local: Rape Victim’s Family Sues County Probation Dept.
1/27/2011

The Illinois Policy Institute's investigation is featured in a story on the lawsuit against Cook County Probation Officer Jesse Reyes.
read more...

Institute in Barrington Patch: Business Economic Summit Draws a Large Crowd
1/27/2011

Institute CEO, John Tillman, featured in an article on the Barrington Business Economic Summit
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Institute in Northwest Indiana Times: Leaders Hope Illinois Income Tax Will Send Residents to Indiana
1/24/2011

Illinois Policy Institute study cited in an article on migration of Illinois residents to Indiana.
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Petition to Repeal Illinois Income Tax Increases
1/20/2011

On Jan. 12, 2011, the lame duck 96th General Assembly increased the state personal income tax by 67 percent and the corporate income tax by 46 percent. Illinois is already losing jobs at an alarming rate, and these tax increases will only further hurt the
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Local Radio Call-in Information
1/20/2011

Find the phone number you need to call your local radio station here.
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What Governor Quinn's Income Tax Hike Means to You
1/18/2011


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Institute on FOX Chicago: Repeal the Tax Hike
1/17/2011

It's no surprise the majority of Illinois residents are outraged at the new increase in business and income taxes. Now there are calls for lawmakers to repeal it, and some lawmakers are on board.
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See What They're Saying: January 2011 Tax Hike
1/14/2011

See where the Institute has been featured in the news regarding the proposed income tax hike.
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PRESS RELEASE: Institute to Legislators - Repeal the Tax Increases
1/14/2011

Increases will have immediate, lasting detrimental effects on Illinois’s economy.
read more...

Institute on FOX Chicago: Illinois Bad for Business
1/13/2011

Illinois already has a bad reputation as a place to do business and the new tax increase approved in Springfield is only going to make the situation worse, according to critics of the tax increase.
read more...

Institute on WLS: John Tillman on Cisco Cotto's Radio Show
1/12/2011

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman was an in-studio guest on Cisco Cotto's radio show Tuesday morning.
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PRESS RELEASE: Talking Points on the Impacts of Tax Hike
1/12/2011

The economy is bad and the state’s fiscal situation is worse. Lawmakers wouldn’t have raised taxes unless they needed to, right? Wrong.
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PRESS RELEASE: Poll Shows Widespread Public Opposition to Tax Hike
1/12/2011

Seventy percent of Illinoisans believe state government is spending too much money, according to a study released Wednesday.
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Institute on ABC Chicago: Ill. Lawmakers Move Closer to Income-Tax Increase
1/6/2011

Kristina Rasmussen is featured in a story about the tax hike battle going on in Springfield.
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Institute on ABC Chicago: Illinois Income Taxes Could Go Up
1/6/2011

Daniel Anthony and research from the Illinois Policy Institute is featured on the 11:00 a.m. ABC 7 newscast.
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Institute in the State Journal-Register: Reform of Teacher Tenure in Illinois Is Long Overdue
1/3/2011

Good schools are filled with children who learn from good teachers. Bad schools are filled with children, too, but they’re often staffed by adults who aren’t doing their jobs. Read more in this SJR op-ed from Collin Hitt.
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Capitol Update: Spending Limit
1/3/2011

Kristina Rasmussen from the Statehouse Capitol on January 3, 2011.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Firefighter Funeral for Edward Stringer Puts Pensions in Spotlight
1/3/2011

At Tuesday’s funeral for fallen Chicago Firefighter Edward Stringer, mourners heard from a number of people who praised his work on behalf of the city, but it was some of the words from the fire department's chaplain that had people talking afterward.
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PRESS RELEASE: Governor Quinn’s Crazy Borrowing Plan Makes State’s Problems Worse
12/28/2010

Debt-driven plan is short sighted and will lead to worsening budget pressure in the coming years.
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Institute in Downers Grove Triblocal: Project Sparks Transparency Review
12/20/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute Local Transparency Project has sparked a review of transparency policies for the Downers Grove Park District.
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Letter to the Editor: Rail Money Should Have Gone to Pay Debt
12/17/2010

Even with the federal cash, Illinois taxpayers will be on the hook almost immediately for additional construction, operation and maintenance costs.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: John Tillman on Tax Hikes
12/16/2010

Illinois could be in store for a tax hike in early January, and Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on Fox Chicago on December 16 to discuss it.
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Institute in WCHI: 33% Proposed Tax Increase in Illinois
12/16/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute, in conjunction with the Tax Foundation has ranked Illinois has the 14th highest taxed state in 2008.  As of July 2010, Illinois is ranked as the 8th highest, and Chicago is tied among the highest tax rates in the country.
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Letter to the Editor: Expensive Train Ride
12/16/2010

It is astounding that the $427-$516 million cost of full consolidation on 10th Street is more than one-third of the $1.2 billion in “high-speed rail” federal stimulus funding received by Illinois.
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Letter to the Editor: An Unpleasant Surprise in 2011
12/16/2010

Illinoisans should get ready for an unpleasant financial surprise in the New Year, and it won't be your holiday shopping credit card bill. Rather, we could be faced with a much larger tax bill from Springfield.
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Institute In the Burr Ridge Patch: Local Transparency Project
12/10/2010

Brian Costin, Director of Outreach, is featured in an article about the Institute's Local Transparency Project successes in Burr Ridge.
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Institute in Illinois Issues: State of the Arts
12/6/2010

Executive Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen, featured in an article on the budget cuts of the Illinois Arts Council, a major source of funds for arts programs in Illinois.
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Institute in The State Journal-Register: High-Speed Rail Projects Being Derailed in Other States
12/4/2010

Brian Costin, Director of Outreach, featured in an article on high speed rail projects in Illinois.
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WGN Radio: New Study Shows Illinois Government Officals Are Among Highest Paid in Nation
11/19/2010

Kristina Rasmussen appears on WGN Radio, discussing our Spotlight on Spending report regarding Illinois's very high executive officer pay.
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Capitol Update: Pension Borrowing
11/17/2010

Policy analyst Ashley Muchow gives an update on the status of pension reform from the Illinois Statehouse. She also explains how the Pension Funding and Fairness Act could be a solution to many of the problems.
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Capitol Update: Goodbye to Transparent Public Employee Performance Reviews?
11/16/2010

A vote in the Illinois House of Representatives to overrule the governor's veto means we're very close to having the reviews sealed forever. Kristina Rasmussen has more details from the Capitol.
read more...

Institute in Rockford Register Star: Study: Illinois Scores below Average for Government Jobs
11/10/2010

Executive Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen, featured in an article on the state of government jobs in Illinois.
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Institute in the UK Telegraph: America’s Lesson for British Classrooms
11/1/2010

Director of education policy Collin Hitt is featured in an article about charter schools in America and the United Kingdom.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Raises Questions about DNR Spending
10/28/2010

Millions of dollars found spent on non-sportsmen needs in new investigative report.
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Institute in the Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch: District 86 Receives an "F" for Fiscal Transparency
10/21/2010

The poor marks come on the heels of a recent audit conducted by the Institute's Local Transparency Project.
read more...

See What They're Saying: Illinois Turnaround Tour
10/18/2010

Take a look at what other people are saying about our Turnaround Tour.
read more...

See What They're Saying: Last Honest Man
10/18/2010

The unveiling of the Last Honest Man and Lee Williams's story Judicial Pay and Perks in the Prairie State has received a lot of attention. Here are some of the samples.
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Institute in the Telegraph: State Needs to Cut 'Pork' from Diet
10/18/2010

"Illinois just doesn’t have the money to spend on many projects that may be desirable but aren’t essential."
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Institute in the Peoria Chronicle: Illinois Policy Institute Advocates TIF Reform
10/15/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute, a non-profit think tank, has issued a new report calling for reform of the Tax Increment Financing process. It’s called Tax Increment Financing: Hidden in Plain Sight.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Illinois Judges Get Perks, Big Pay
10/14/2010

The Institute's Lee Williams appears on Fox Chicago to discuss his story Judicial Perks and Pay in the Prairie State.
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Institute in the State-Journal Register: This Is Exactly the Wrong Time to Push Tax Increases
10/13/2010

Kristina Rasmussen pens an op-ed for the State-Journal Register.
read more...

Institute in the Northwest Herald: Candidates Find Common Ground at MCC Forum
10/12/2010

The belief that Illinois is headed in the wrong direction crosses party lines, if candidate turnout at a Monday forum was any indicator.
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Institute on WJBC Radio: Voters to Consider Recall Referendum Next Month
10/12/2010

Bogus Reform?
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Calls For Full Transparency Regarding TIF Money
10/12/2010

Elected Officials Should Not Use TIF Money to Shore Up Budget Deficits
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Releases Special Report - Judicial Pay and Perks in the Prairie State
10/12/2010

Illinois ranks 29th in cost of living, yet has one of the highest paid judiciaries in the country.
read more...

Illinois Policy Institute on Univision Chicago - Judicial Pay
10/12/2010

Illinois Policy Institute Director of Marketing and Communications Daniel Anthony is featured on Univision. This is the first time a member of the Institute's staff has been featured on a Spanish-speaking news show.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: Lots of Pork in Illinois Budget
10/11/2010

John Tillman appears on Fox Chicago to discuss the 2010 Illinois Capital Bill Piglet Book.
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Institute in the Daily Egyptian: Voter Registration Extended Another Week, Early Voting to Begin Monday
10/8/2010

Collin Hitt highlights the importance of voting.
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Institute on WAND TV: Recall Amendment
10/8/2010

Kristina Rasmussen explains why if Illinois is going to do reform, they should do it right.
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Institute on WJBC Radio: Wasteful Spending in Pig Book
10/8/2010

Research from the Institute's "Pig Book" is discussed.
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See What They're Saying: The Institute's Capital Piglet 2010
10/6/2010

Take a look at what other people are saying about our Capital Piglet book.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute and CAGW Release Piglet Book on Capital Bill
10/5/2010

Pork-barrel spending financed by more borrowing, higher taxes and fees.
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Institute in the Northwest Herald: Illinois Needs to Make a New Start
10/4/2010

Our research about the looming tax increases got mentiond in the Northwest Herald.
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Institute on WIFR: Stateline Candidates Meet for Political Forum
10/4/2010

Our political forum gets coverage from WIFR.
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Institute in the Daily Herald: Palatine Township to Post More Info Online
10/1/2010

Palatine Township turns to the Illinois Policy Institute's Ten-Point Transparency Checklist when researching the issue.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Shines Spotlight on Continued DCEO Failures
10/1/2010

$30 million in salaries and film tax credits fail to create jobs.
read more...

Get on Board - 3 Minute Version
10/1/2010

A shortened version of our film Get on Board about the Illinois Turnaround Tour.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Urges State to Implement Health Savings Accounts
9/29/2010

Governor Quinn’s AFSCME deal puts $20 billion savings in jeopardy.
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Institute in Rockford Register Star: State Needs More Flexibility to Deal with Unions
9/24/2010

If you were running a failing business, would you hand out 7 percent pay raises, a two-year “no layoff” guarantee, a pledge to close no branches, and then another round of pay hikes topping 8 percent?
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Institute on Fox News Chicago: Former Mob Bookie on State Payroll Despite Troubled Past
9/24/2010

Who referred him in? Why wasn't this job posted in an open interview process? If there's some new urgent position to be created, why does a guy who when you google him is part of the Family Secrets trial get the job...?
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Letter to the Editor: Tax Hikes Are Not Cure-All for State's Economic Woes
9/20/2010

"Ralph Martire is correct that the biggest choice facing Illinois' next governor will be how to balance the state's budget. He's dead wrong in pushing job-killing tax hikes over spending reforms."
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Turnaround Tour Travels State Discussing Economic Solutions To State Budget Woes
9/14/2010

Poll Indicates Voters Support Candidates Who Cut Spending Over Raising Taxes
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Institute in the SJR: Before Any Consideration of a Tax Increase, We Need Tax Transparency
9/13/2010

This op-ed from Kate Piercy was featured in last Friday's print edition of the State Journal-Register.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Families Under Threat of Major Tax Increases
9/7/2010

Report Reveals Tax Burden Increases Under Proposed Quinn State Tax Hike and End of Bush Tax Cuts
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Institute in the Northwest Herald: Reining in Paid Time Off
9/7/2010

Are public sector employees getting too many days paid off? Read this article to see for yourself.
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Institute in the Northwest Herald: Time Off Policies Vary at Public Agencies
9/7/2010

The Institute's research has consistently shown that there is an imbalance between public and private compensation.
read more...

Letter to the Editor: Illinois Can Again Be an Economic Powerhouse
9/7/2010

The Chicago Tribune publishes John Tillman's letter to the editor.
read more...

Institute on Fox News Chicago: John Tillman vs. Governor Quinn
9/5/2010

John Tillman puts name calling aside and says that operating a state fair at a deficit is wrong.
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Institute in the Ottawa Times: Time For Someone To Pay
9/3/2010

Voters will soon have to ask themselves if they want to foot the bill for benefits more generous than their own.
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: The High Cost of Fiscal Irresponsibility in Illinois
9/3/2010

Many of the costs of state government budgeting gimmicks are nearly invisible in the short-run, and taxpayers only realize the true costs of fiscal irresponsibility down the road.
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Institute in the Daily Herald: Campaigns Aimed in Government Tour Suburbs
8/31/2010

But several conservative-leaning organizations are seeking to change Illinois through newly formed spinoff campaigns, all aimed at getting candidates to be precise about solutions and getting voters to the ballot box come November.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: State Fair Ripe for Reform
8/21/2010

John Tillman suggests some cost cutting measures for the state and advises Governor Quinn not to resort to name calling.
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Poll: Large Majority of Illinois Voters Think State Is on the Wrong Track
8/17/2010

See our comprehensive polls results, which demonstrate how dissatisfied Illinois voters are with the state's present situation.
read more...

Insitute on WTAX AM: Illinois Turnaround Tour
8/17/2010

John Tillman promotes the Illinois Turnaround Tour.
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Letter to the Editor: The Effect of Future Taxes on Familiy Budgets
8/17/2010

As Illinois families dive into back-to-school shopping, smart moms and dads will account for how looming tax hikes will affect their household spending.
read more...

Institute in Pantagraph.com: Hope State Fair Will Succeed For Sake of Budget
8/13/2010

The Pantagraph backs the Institute's proposal for scaling back the state fair.
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Institute in the State Journal-Register: Florida Shows the Way on School Reform
8/13/2010

Collin Hitt pens ad op-ed in the State Journal-Register about school reform.
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Institute in the Ottawa Times: Are State Fairs Unfair To State Budget
8/13/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute, a state nonpartisan research organization, recently revealed the Illinois State Fair in Springfield and the DuQuoin State Fair lost a combined total of more than $41.8 million between fiscal years 2001 and 2009.
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PRESS RELEASE: ENTICE Program’s Popularity Waning and Expenditures Increasing
8/12/2010

Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ program needs overhaul.
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Institute in My Suburban Life: Why Must Government Be Coerced Into Sharing Information?
8/12/2010

Earlier this year, the Illinois Policy Institute examined government websites in Hanover Township for information in 10 categories.
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Institute on Fox St. Louis: Illinois House Member Pay
8/12/2010

The Institute observes that while legislators normally get paid $35,000, Illinois lawmakers get $67,000.
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Institute in Kane County Chronicle: State's Budget Woes Impact Kane County
8/11/2010

“Raising the income tax would have catastrophic consequences on the livelihoods of citizens,” Costin said. “We have come up with an alternative budget that is balanced without tax hikes and no additional borrowing.”
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Institute in Barrington Courier-Review: Governing Bodies Lagging in Website Info
8/11/2010

"From an overall perspective, a lot of government agencies are behind in providing information on their websites," Costin said.
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Institute on WBBM: Kane County Warned
8/11/2010

The Institute's Brian Costin warns that borrowing with increasing costs is similar to the state taking out a subprime mortgage loan to pay its debts.
read more...

Chicago Daily Observer: Ask Your Legislator to Sign the Illinois Honest Taxation Pledge
8/11/2010

The Institute's Honest Taxation Pledge is promoted by the Chicago Daily Observer
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Institute on Fox Chicago: How a Washington Spending Bill Will Lead to an Illinois Tax Increase
8/11/2010

Director of outreach Brian Costin appears on Fox Chicago and explains how a $26 billion spending bill would make a tax increase more likely for Illinois citizens.
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Institute in the Daily Journal: Pay for Performance
8/9/2010

The Daily Journal backs the Institute's suggestion for a freeze on lawmaker's pay until it falls in line with the national average.
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Illinois Honest Taxation Pledge
8/9/2010

Political leaders in Springfield already are planning to pull the wool over voters’ eyes by campaigning against tax increases this fall and then quickly turning around, when the electoral pressure is off, and voting for a big increase.
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An Open Letter to the Illinois Congressional Delegation: Don’t Enable Spendthrift States
8/9/2010

Congress is moving to pass a $26 billion “aid” package for state and local governments. Kristina Rasmussen urges the Illinois Congressional Delegation to oppose this misguided bailout initiative.
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Institute in the Pioneer Press: Websites of Local Governments Lack Transparency
8/5/2010

Most governments within New Trier Township are not doing a very good job of providing information to residents on their websites.
read more...

Institute in Rio Rancho Observer:
8/4/2010

A New Mexico newspaper looks at our study and realizes that compared to Illinois, they get their money's worth out of their politicians.
read more...

Institute in the Daily Herald: Think Tank's Audit Finds Suburban Government Websites Lacking
7/29/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute this spring conducted "online transparency audits" of the websites of government entities within Palatine, Hanover, Schaumburg, Barrington and New Trier township boundaries.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Quinn's Latest Tax Increase Pledge Is Bad Medicine for Illinois, Institute Says
7/29/2010

Estimated $6 Billion hit to taxpayers would be devastating with economy in shambles.
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: The Most Important Illinoisan of the 20th Century
7/28/2010

Collin Hitt explains why Milton Friedman was the most important person with ties to Illinois in the 20th century.
read more...

Debtors Anonymous: The First Step in a State Spending Intervention
7/23/2010

Heather Wilhelm diagnoses the state of Illinois as a compulsive debtor.
read more...

Institute on WICS: Illinois Lawmakers Rank 5th for Highest Salary
7/23/2010

Are Illinoisans are getting their money's worth from their state politicians?
read more...

Institute on Fox Business: How a $2 Million Surplus Turned into $18 Million in National Debt
7/23/2010

John Tillman discusses the need for private sector job creation over temporary government job creation.
read more...

Institute on WJBC AM: Empower Lawmakers With Fiscal Price Tags
7/23/2010

Kristina Rasmussen explains that lawmakers would be empowered if they knew how much they were spending.
read more...

Capitol Update: Fiscal Notes
7/22/2010

For a state with a spending problem, Kristina Rasmussen says one solution is to have price tags attached to every bill before it is signed it into law.
read more...

Institute on ABC 7 News: Pay Freeze for Illinois Lawmakers
7/22/2010

Did you know Illinois lawmakers enjoy automatic raises without having to vote for them?
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Institute in Illinois Times: Conservative Think Tank Advises Illinois - Turn Right!
7/22/2010

The Illinois Times profiles the Institute and highlights our (its?) growing influence.
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PRESS RELEASE: Think Tank Calls for Stronger Price Tag on Every Bill
7/21/2010

New fiscal note policy would ensure lawmakers understand the costs of bills they're passing.
read more...

Institute of Fox Chicago: Have Organic Revenue Growth by Creating Jobs
7/21/2010

John Tillman debates Rep. Lou Lang over why Illinois is broke and how to fix it.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: Balance Budget Naturally by Bringing Jobs to Illinois
7/21/2010

In the last installment of the Institute inspired series, John Tillman lists 4 reasons why Illinois is broke and how to balance the budget without increasing taxes.
read more...

Capitol Update: Budget Deficit in Skittles
7/21/2010

Kristina Rasmussen puts Governor Quinn's budget cuts in perspective using Skittles.
read more...

Institute in State Journal-Register: High-Speed Rail Work to Begin in September
7/21/2010

With a $98 million project now underway, Kristina Rasmussen argues that plans should be finalized before construction begins.
read more...

Institute in Northwest Herald: Tens of Thousands of State Employees to Receive a Pay Hike
7/18/2010

With an operating budget deficit near $13 billion, Illinois state employees are set to receive a pay hike.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: John Tillman and Dan Hynes Talk About Illinois' Budget Mess
7/15/2010

John Tillman discusses ways for Illinois to balance its budget without raising taxes.
read more...

Institute on Chicago Now: What Is Real Budget Reform?
7/15/2010

While other states and the private sector tighten their belts, public employee spending in Illinois continues to grow and increase wages.
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: The One Rule that Kept LeBron from Coming to Chicago
7/15/2010

Michael Demkovich is featured in the Examiner. He discusses the NBA's maximum salary rule and how it hampers a team's ability to compete for talent in the NBA.
read more...

Illinois Policy Institute Brings State Budget Solution to Decatur Audience
7/14/2010

The first sentence of Brian Costin's summary of the Illinois budget situation says it all: "Illinois is in rough shape."
read more...

Institute in Crain's: Illinois' Status Quo Is Not Working
7/13/2010

Our state's poor performance with taxes and job creation shows that raising taxes is not the answer.
read more...

Institute on WICS: The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
7/12/2010

Kristina Rasmussen talks about cutting expenses of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which would save taxpayers around $50 million.
read more...

Institute in Chicago Now: What? Chicago Taxpayers Pay for Canadian Celebrations?
7/9/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute provides examples of wasteful expenditures by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
read more...

Fiscal Flushes: Illinois's Budget Is in the Crapper
7/8/2010

Kristina Rasmussen is featured in the Examiner highlighting Illinois' budget problems and Governor Quinn's weak efforts to correct them.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: Minimum Wage...or Minimum Impact?
7/8/2010

John Tillman appears on Fox Chicago on July 6 to discuss Illinois's recent minimum wage increase and the consequences it will have for small business owners.
read more...

Institute in Rockford Register Star: Quinn's Budget Provides No Real Hope or Answers
7/6/2010

While Illinois politicians continue to play the blame game for the state's fiscal problems, the Illinois Policy Institute provides concrete solutions.
read more...

Institute in Associated Press: Quinn Very Timid on Budget Cuts
7/2/2010

With a budget deficit of $13 billion, Vice President Kristina Rasmussen questions the effectiveness of Governor Quinn's budget cuts.
read more...

Institute on WAND: Quinn Is Living in Fiscal Fairytale
7/2/2010

Governor Quinn claims to have tighten the government's belt while Kristina Rasmussen explains he merely shifted it.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: Addicted to Spending
6/30/2010

The state of Illinois keeps funding pork projects in spite of crushing debt.
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: Cubs/White Sox - Who Loves Freedom More?
6/25/2010

The crosstown classic continues this weekend. But which side of town better exemplifies the principles of freedom we hold so dear?
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: Move over California!
6/24/2010

Amanda Griffin-Johnson is featured in the Examiner. She writes about the problems with Illinois's current "kick the can down the road" strategy.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: Illinois Is Broke
6/23/2010

Illinois is on the edge of an economic abyss: low on cash, low on options and the evidence is not pretty.
read more...

Institute in Heartland's News: Illinois Lawmakers Okay Budget Billions of Dollars Out of Balance
6/19/2010

The General Assembly ended up approving a general appropriations bill at the end of May that kept spending at roughly the same levels as last year, despite nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills.
read more...

Institute in the Examiner: Illinois Policy Institute Puts Spotlight on Wasteful State Spending
6/17/2010

During a time when the Gulf oil disaster and the ever-increasing and mind-numbing federal debt are (rightly) dominating the news, it is easy to forget about the overwhelming fiscal challenges facing our own state government.
read more...

Letter to the Editor: Pension Borrowing Is a Terrible Choice
6/14/2010

The lack of leadership from elected officials in our state reared its ugly head again this week. Illinois will likely be stuck with another unbalanced budget, thanks in large part to two retiring Republican legislators.
read more...

Institute on Fox Chicago: State Overpays Most Workers
6/7/2010

State lawmakers have yet to come up with a solution for the budget crisis. Meanwhile, the Illinois Policy Institute is shedding light on the overspending that helped get us into this mess.
read more...

Institute on ABC Southern Illinois: State Barbers Make Big Bucks
6/7/2010

A new study released by the Illinois Policy Institute shows how much money you make doesn't depend on what you do for a living--it depends on who you work for.
read more...

Letter to the Editor: Extended School Day Could Help Kids
6/7/2010

Chicago's public schools have a shorter school day than schools in New York, Los Angeles and practically every district in Illinois.
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Letter to the Editor: Hanover Twp. Needs More Transparency
6/7/2010

As a resident and taxpayer of Hanover Township I am appalled to see the new allegations of questionable expenditures in the amount of $300,000. It is apparent that appropriate safeguards weren't in place to prevent such actions.
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Institute on NBC Springfield: IL Policy Institute Releases Report on Government Spending
6/3/2010

What would it take for you to cut prison inmates' hair for a living? How about $66,000 a year?
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Institute on WJBD Salem: Watchdog Group Says Illinois Government Workers Paid Too Much
6/3/2010

One government watchdog group says the state is paying too much for its help. The Illinois Policy Institute released a study comparing the salaries of state workers against their private-sector counterparts.
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Institute on WSIU: Policy Group Claims Pay Disparity Between Public and Private Sector Jobs
6/3/2010

A report released Wednesday by a conservative policy group claims there's a pay disparity between private sector jobs and their public sector counterparts.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch: $66,000 Barbers and $73,000 Truckers
6/3/2010

What it would take to convince you to cut prison inmates’ hair for a living? How about $66,000 a year? That’s the average pay of Illinois’ contingent of a couple dozen barbers, most of whom work for the state prison system, according to a new report.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Weekly “Spotlight on Spending” Identifies Wasteful Government Programs
6/2/2010

First in series finds sampling of public workers’ salaries drastically higher than statewide averages.
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Local Government Stretching Budgets? Opportunities for Saving Do Exist
6/1/2010

Now more than ever, local governments across Illinois are experiencing significant declines in revenue sources, and because of this pressure, some are revaluating how they operate and discovering some unnecessary spending habits and stale routines.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: John Tillman Discusses Illinois's Budget Crisis
5/28/2010

John Tillman appears in-studio on Fox Chicago and makes the case for why Gov. Quinn should make some tough cuts over asking for more money from Illinois families.
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Institute in the Rockford Register Star: Quinn Can Keep Transparency Door Open
5/28/2010

Kristina Rasmussen pens an op-ed with Better Government Association executive director Andy Shaw.
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Institute in the Chicago Sun-Times: Stop Pension Borrowing Plan
5/28/2010

The lack of leadership from elected officials in our state reared its ugly head again this week. Illinois will likely be stuck with another unbalanced budget, thanks in large part to two retiring GOP legislators.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: FAQ about Democrats' Plan for Illinois State Budget
5/27/2010

Springfield, Ill. - Democrats in Springfield are about to pass a state budget that would be a mere band-aid on Illinois' $13 billion deficit. What does it mean for you?
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Institute in the SJR: The Last Thing Illinois Needs Is More Secrecy
5/27/2010

Institute CEO John Tillman has a letter to the editor featured in the State Journal-Register.
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PRESS RELEASE: Think Tank Questions Role of Three Players in State Budget Debacle
5/27/2010

Illinois Policy Institute highlights votes of Reps. Black, Biggins and Miller on misguided budget policy.
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FOX 55/27: Conservative Think Tank Wants Veto on Proposed FOIA Changes
5/25/2010

Last month, lawmakers passed a proposal that would prohibit state agencies from releasing employee evaluations of state workers if a Freedom of Information Act request is submitted.
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PRESS RELEASE: County Pay Raises during Tough Economic Times Send Taxpayers Wrong Message
5/25/2010

Illinois Policy Institute Calls on Rock Island board to rectify salary increase gaffe.
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PRESS RELEASE: Report Finds Downstate and Suburban Charter Schools Consistently Excel on Academic Performance
5/24/2010

Think tank report card: charters outperform district schools 69.2% of the time.
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Institute in the SJR: State Can Balance Budget without Tax Hike, Borrowing
5/19/2010

Kristina Rasmussen has an op-ed featured in the State Journal-Register. She outlines the path the legislature should take to balance our state's budget.
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Running from the Bulls—The Cost of LeBron Landing in Chicago
5/19/2010

When the Cleveland Cavaliers strolled into Chicago earlier this year to take on the Bulls, do you know who had the most expensive ticket to see that game? It was LeBron James.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: Voting in Favor of Bad Schools
5/13/2010

John Tillman is featured in the Chicago Tribune. He discusses school choice.
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Institute in the Wall Street Journal: Republicans Sell Out Chicago Schoolkids
5/11/2010

In Illinois, GOP legislators side with teachers unions.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Budget Deadline Passes Without a Deal
5/10/2010

Kristina Rasmussen appears on a Fox Chicago report saying how lawmakers need to make tough decisions and look to make cuts in order to balance the budget.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Illinois Senate Passes Budget Plan After Midnight
5/7/2010

As the Illinois legislature passed a temporary budget in the middle of the night, some alternative ideas went overlooked. Kristina Rasmussen appears on Fox Chicago to discuss the Institute's Budget Solutions 2011.
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Voucher Update: How Did Your Representative Vote?
5/7/2010

Did your legislator stand up for the kids? Or did they stand with the union lobbyists?
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Capitol Update: SB 2494
5/7/2010

Director of education policy Collin Hitt gives an update on SB 2494, the bill that would give vouchers to students in Chicago's worst schools.
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Capitol Update: The Illinois Budget
5/7/2010

Executive vice president Kristina Rasmussen gives an update on the intense debate going on in the House on the state budget.
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Update on SB2494 and School Choice
5/6/2010

Learn more.
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Letter to the Editor: User Taxes Ultimately Affect All Taxpayers
5/4/2010

Kristina Rasmussen's letter is featured in the Daily Herald. She explains why something like a cigarette tax would affect all taxpayers, not just smokers.
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Institute on ABC Chicago: A Taxpayer Funded Lois Lane?
5/4/2010

Towns, cities, and villages are lining up to get more dollars from the state to fund projects intended to bring tourists in. John Tillman appears on ABC Chicago and wonders if this is really the best policy for our state.
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April 27 Update from the Capitol
4/28/2010

Collin Hitt gives at update on the status of SB 2494, the bill that would give vouchers to students in struggling schools in Chicago.
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April 28 Update from the Capitol
4/28/2010

John Tillman discusses the passage of the Sunshine Act, an important bill that will allow citizens to hold government accountable.
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Sunshine Commission Act Passes Both House and Senate
4/28/2010

The Sunshine Commission Act unanimously passed out of the Senate yesterday and is now waiting to be signed into law by Governor Quinn. The Commission’s ability to rid the state of wasteful spending and programs will be an important tool for gov. reform.
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Institute in the Wall Street Journal: In Post-Obama Illinois, Hope and Change
4/27/2010

The Wall Street Journal again cites the Institute's work on SB 2494.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: The Legislators-Are-Chicken Premise
4/27/2010

An article from the Tribune's Dennis Byrne cites the Institute's Budget Solutions 2011 as an "boldly asserting that the budget can be balanced without any tax increase."
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Newspapers Across the State Support School Choice
4/26/2010

Support for Sen. James Meeks' school choice bill is coming in from major newspapers across the state and the Illinois Policy Institute's research has been integral in shaping opinion on the matter.
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Institute in the Rockford Register Star: More School Options Needed; Vouchers a Good Tool to Have
4/23/2010

The Rockford Register Star comes out in favor of Sen. Meeks' voucher program and cites research from the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Institute in the Decatur Tribune: Balancing the State Budget Without a Tax Hike
4/22/2010

April 15th has come and gone, but Illinoisans need to be perpetually vigilant about taxes—especially when our state leaders are constantly thinking up ways to increase them.
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PRESS RELEASE: IL Policy Institute Applauds Committee Passage of Groundbreaking School Choice Legislation
4/22/2010

Landmark school voucher program provides opportunity for Illinois children.
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John O'Hara on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart
4/21/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute's John O'Hara was the featured guest on the Daily Show on April 20.
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Institute in the Tribune: A Worthy Education
4/21/2010

An op-ed from James Meeks and Andy McKenna cites research from the Illinois Policy Institute.
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Institute in the Chicago Sun-Times: State Should Embrace Meeks Voucher Bill
4/20/2010

Meeks' voucher bill, now being considered in the House Executive Committee, will offer 22,000 kids hope for a better life.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: Halfway to Nowhere
4/20/2010

An editorial in the Chicago Tribune mentions the Institute's proposals as responsible and sensible ideas to solve the budget crisis facing the state.
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Illinois Policy Institute Weekly Update from the Capitol
4/17/2010

Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen discusses Pension Reform for the State of Illinois.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Turnaround, Tea Parties, and Canoe Czar
4/16/2010

John Tillman appears on Fox Chicago on the evening of the Tax Day Tea Parties in Chicago.
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We CAN Turn This State Around! John Tillman at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party
4/15/2010

Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman's speech at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party at Daley Plaza in Chicago.
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Illinois Needs New Ideas. Kristina Rasmussen at the Tax Day Tea Party
4/15/2010

Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen's speech at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party at Daley Plaza in Chicago.
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We've Come a Long way, and We're Winning. John O'Hara at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party
4/15/2010

Illinois Policy Institute Vice President of External Relations John O'Hara's speech at the 2010 Tax Day Tea Party at Daley Plaza in Chicago.
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PRESS RELEASE: IL Policy Institute Leaders Address Chicago Tea Party Rally
4/15/2010

Free market think tank announces “Turnaround” campaign to reform state government
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Tea Party Turnaround
4/14/2010

Over the past year, millions of Americans have come off of the sidelines and involved themselves in the political process as part of the widespread tea party movement.
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Institute in the SJR: City Needs More School Choices - Now
4/9/2010

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Education Policy, has an op-ed on school vouchers featured in the State Journal-Register.
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Institute in the Wall Street Journal: In Praise of Illinois
4/8/2010

The WSJ calls the bill that recently passed out of the Illinois legislature and important first step toward fixing Illinois public pension funding problem.
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State Journal-Register Urges Lawmakers to Pass Meeks School Voucher Plan
4/7/2010

The SJR editorial board says, ''A bill Meeks shepherded through the Illinois Senate two weeks ago could have an immediate impact for thousands of students in some of Chicago’s most severely under-performing public schools.''
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Institute in the Tribune: Yes You Can
3/29/2010

An editorial from the Chicago Tribune mentions the Institute's Budget Solutions 2011.
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IL Policy Institute Lauds Senate Passage of Groundbreaking School Choice Legislation
3/29/2010

Sen. Meeks' landmark school voucher program provides opportunities for Illinois children.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Applauds House Republicans for Introducing Legislation to Combat ObamaCare
3/29/2010

Legislation would mitigate the burden of federal health care law on Illinois citizens.
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PRESS RELEASE: Northwest Suburban Governments Fail Transparency Test
3/25/2010

Study shows 13 of 17 suburban governments don’t make the grade.
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PRESS RELEASE: IllinoisPolicy Institute Applauds Municipality Cutting Nearly $1 Million
3/24/2010

Village of Lindenhurst uses common sense cost cutting to balance budget.
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Crain's Chicago Business: New Budget Must Bring Public Wages Back Down to Reality
3/22/2010

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, has an op-ed featured in Crane's Chicago Business.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Budget Solutions 2011
3/17/2010

John O'Hara appears on Fox Chicago the morning of March 17 to discuss the Institute's Budget Solutions 2011, which calls for no tax increases, no borrowing, and for state government to make responsible cuts while still being able to provide core services.
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See What They're Saying: Budget Solutions 2011
3/17/2010

Budget Solutions 2011 is receiving attention throughout the state as an alternative way to balance the budget without a tax hike.
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State Journal-Register: State Budget Proposals Continue to Surface
3/17/2010

The State Journal-Register profiles the Illinois Policy Institute's Budget Solutions 2011
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WLS-AM: Kristina Rasmussen on What to Do with Illinois' Budget
3/17/2010

Kristina Rasmussen is critical of state Governor Quinn's 'kick the can down the road' strategy and touts Budget Solutions 2011 as a better alternative.
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ABC 7 Chicago: Illinois Policy Institute Challenges Governor Quinn
3/17/2010

ABC Chicago covers the Illinois Policy Institute's challenge to Governor Quinn that a tax increase is not necessary to balance Illinois's budget.
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John Tillman Talks about the Institute's Alternate Budget on CLTV
3/17/2010

Institute CEO John Tillman calls into CLTV to talk about an alternative budget, which puts the people of Illinois first and forces employee unions to the negotiating table instead of taxpayers.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: Are There Other Options?
3/16/2010

Yes, there are. John Tillman of the Illinois Policy Institute appears on Fox Chicago the night of March 15 giving a preview of Budget Solutions 2011, an alternate budget proposal that calls for no tax increase.
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AP: Group Proposes Alternative State Budget
3/16/2010

An Associated Press article features Budget Solutions 2011.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Releases Alternative State Budget
3/16/2010

Proposal offers comprehensive budget solution without tax hike.
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Chicago Public Radio: John Tillman Says No Need for a Tax Hike
3/10/2010

Immediately following Governor Quinn's budget address, John Tillman debated Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability on whether the 33% tax increase that Gov. Quinn called for is really necessary.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: Quinn's Budget Gets an 'F'
3/10/2010

John Tillman appeared on Chicago Tonight on March 10 to respond to Governor Quinn's proposed budget.
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John Tillman Gives the Taxpayer Side of a Tax Increase
3/8/2010

As the press conference unveiling the Illinois Policy Institute's 2010 Economic Reform Agenda, the Institute's CEO John Tillman explains what a tax increase would mean to the Illinois families that would have to pay it.
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Institute in Chicago Tribune: 'How to Save Our State'
3/5/2010

Can Illinois stay competitive? Kristina Rasmussen discusses the importance of our state's flat income tax in a Chicago Tribune op-ed.
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute and House Republicans Join Together on Common Sense Reforms
3/4/2010

Illinois House Republicans announce economic reform agenda 
focused on jobs, spending, budget & legislative reforms.
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Institute in the Chicago Tribune: A No-Tax-Hike Option
3/1/2010

The Chicago Tribune offers a series of cost-saving proposals, including one from the Illinois Policy Institute, that they say should be considered before raising taxes.
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Institute in the Examiner: Are Red Light Cameras a Public Safety Danger?
2/25/2010

Red light cameras clearly don’t serve the cause of traffic safety, and they should be pulled down quicker than they were put up.
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Institute in the Wall Street Journal: Preaching Choice in Obama's Hometown
2/23/2010

The speaker was the Rev. James Meeks, explaining black resistance to vouchers. The venue was a sold-out lunch put on by the Illinois Policy Institute (IPI). The result? Something new in Windy City politics: a powerful black Democrat reaching out to a free
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Institute on Fox Business News: Do Tea Party-ers Need to PIck a Party?
2/22/2010

John O'Hara, the Institute's vice president of external relations, appears on Fox Business News and is asked about Sarah Palin's assertion that those in the Tea Party movement need to pick a political party. O'Hara doesn't see it that way.
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PRESS RELEASE: Chicago Snow Grading Take Two
2/16/2010

How did Chicago respond to its second snowstorm?
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Associated Press: Chicago Says It Could Have Handled East Coast Storm
2/16/2010

An Associated Press story ran in several publications mentions a study from the Institute in which we give the city of Chicago an A for their snow removal efforts.
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See What They're Saying About Ready for the Snow?
2/16/2010

The Institute's timely report is garnering media attention for the 'A' grade given to the city of Chicago for its snow removal efforts.
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John TIllman on Public Affairs
2/11/2010

John Tillman discusses transparency in Illinois, school vouchers, and how the state’s deficit is not really as bad as many politicians in Springfield will have you believe—it’s small enough to so
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Institute in the Examiner: Illinois in Dire Spending Straits? Then Why Are We Promoting Quail?
2/10/2010

$6,500 for a tub of live bass? $78,066 for quail promotion? $353,165 for car racing? Does this sound like a budget for a state in dire fiscal straits?
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See What They're Saying About the 2010 Piglet Book
2/10/2010

Released February 9th, the Illinois Policy Institute's Piglet Book is receiving widespread news coverage for the waste it uncovers.
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Institute on Fox Chicago: $10,000 to Batman?
2/9/2010

John Tillman appears on Good Morning Chicago on FOX to unveil the 2010 Illinois Piglet Book, which details some of the wasteful spending going on in Illinois
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Chicago Tribune: Plenty of Pork in Illinois Budget, Agency Says
2/9/2010

The Chicago Tribune highlights some of the examples of wasteful spending from our 2010 Piglet Book.
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PRESS RELEASE: Think Tanks Release Report Detailing Illinois’s Wasteful Spending For 2010
2/9/2010

The 2010 Illinois piglet book finds possible $350 million in savings.
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PRESS RELEASE: Senator Rev. James Meeks to Keynote IL Policy Institute Summit on School Choice
2/5/2010

Panel of national leading education experts to discuss school choice and public school reform.
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Institute in the Examiner: One Nation, Indivisible….And Very Deep in Debt
2/2/2010

How much trouble are we in because of the national debt? And what can be done about it? Heather Wilhelm addresses this in the Examiner.
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Institute in the Daily Herald: No TIF District Needed for Navistar
2/1/2010

This Navistar TIF proposal, and all TIF districts, increase government spending and necessarily cause an increase in property taxes.
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Institute in the Examiner: 'Radical' Policy….Or Common Sense?
1/27/2010

A mother wants to send her son to the best school in her neighborhood, but that school happens to be private. Does that make her a radical parent? Of course not.
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Institute on First Business: Should We Hike Unemployment Insurance Taxes?
1/15/2010

The Institute's Director of Outreach, Brian Costin, appeared January 12 on on the nationally syndicated show First Business responding to the recent unemployment insurance tax hike and extended benefits in Illinois.
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Institute on Chicago Tonight: A Mixed Review on Quinn's State of the State Address
1/14/2010

The Institute's CEO, John Tillman, appears on Chicago Tonight on January 13 responding to the Governor's State of the State address. John was critical of the Governor taking on as much short term debt as he has but applauded the Governor for his efforts
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PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute Outlines Path to Statewide Public Education Reform
1/14/2010

New report offers three policy initiatives for providing parent’s and taxpayers best opportunity for transparency and school choice.
read more...

Tribune Letter to the Editor: 'Dreadful' Condition
1/13/2010

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen has a letter to the editor featured in the Chicago Tribune. She points out how, despite being nearly bankrupt, our state government continues to grow, adding over 2 thousand employees.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Illinois Policy Institute's Statement on Governor Quinn's State of the State Address
1/13/2010

Quinn puts burden on taxpayers once again.
read more...

Illinois Lawmakers Face Severe Budget Shortfall As Legislature Prepares to Open
1/12/2010

The state's budget outlook wouldn't be so bleak if policymakers had acted earlier on numerous recommendations to cut costs and make reforms, said Kristina Rasmussen, executive vice president of the Illinois Policy Institute.
read more...

PRESS RELEASE: Did Chicago's Snow Removal Make the Grade?
1/8/2010

The Illinois Policy Institute monitored how well Chicago responded to the recent snowstorm. Find out more here!
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Institute in the SJR: 186 Should Consider More Charter School Options
1/5/2010

New Year’s resolutions give us hope that in spite of our past flaws we can achieve something better. At the top of our community’s list should be better public schools.
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Heartland Institute: States, Businesses Will Pay Heavy Cost for Reform
1/5/2010

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen is quoted in a report from the Heartland Institute.
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John Tillman on Beyond the Beltway
1/5/2010

The Institute's John Tillman appears with Chris Robling and the Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn on Beyond the Beltway. They discuss several topics, including Obama's handling of terrorist threats, American defense, and what to do about Iran.
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Daily Journal: Why Less Government, Not More, Is the Real Answer
12/29/2009

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen has an op-ed featured in the Daily Journal about health care solutions.
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$3500 Just for Owning a Pet? The Institute on CBS
12/23/2009

A Representative in Michigan is talking about a $3500 tax credit for owning a pet. The Illinois Policy Institute's CEO John Tillman appeared on CBS on December 22 to discuss the act.
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Shining a Light on State Spending
12/22/2009

A lot of chatter has been circulating around the lack of transparency in how stimulus funds are being distributed, the process of determining who gets money and who does not, and why.
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Gifts of the Free Market
12/17/2009

Heather Wilhelm, the Institute's Vice President of Marketing and Communications, is featured in the Examiner. She discusses the benefits of capitalism in developing countries.
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Institute on Fox Business News - $340,000 for Abandoned Property?
12/15/2009

The Institute's Kristina Rasmussen appears on Fox Business News discussing the $1.1 trillion dollar pork-laden spending bill that passed over the weekend, which has over 5,000 earmarks.
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State Journal-Register: Expansion of Medicaid Is Not the Health-Care Answer
12/11/2009

Representative Patti Bellock and the Institute's Kristina Rasmussen are featured in the State Journal-Register. They detail how such a rapid expansion of Medicaid could be disastrous for Illinois.
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Institute featured on Dennis Miller Show
12/11/2009

The Institute's Heather Wilhelm was a guest on the Dennis Miller Show to discuss her Wall Street Journal article on Ayn Rand - is there a more effective way to reach the political middle with messages about free markets?
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IllinoisOpenGov on WAND-Springfield
12/8/2009

WAND-Springfield profiles the new website sponsored by the Illinois Policy Institute: IllinoisOpenGov.org. The website gives Illinois taxpayers a tool that allows them to look at the details of state spending down to the agency, person and penny.
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Chicago Sun Times: Why Does Commerce Dept. Need $2,821 in Hot Sauce?
12/7/2009

Kate Campaigne Piercy is in the Sun-Times detailing how a website like IllinoisOpenGov.org is essential for citizens find out where their tax dollars actually go.
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Daily Herald: Use These Tools to Keep Leaders in Check
12/7/2009

The Daily Herald touts IllinoisOpenGov.org as a valuable tool to keep politicians honest and accountable.
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Is Ayn Rand Bad for the Market?
12/4/2009

In an age where hope and warm-hearted marketing clearly resonate, is revitalizing and glorifying Rand's acerbic "virtue of selfishness" doing the free-market movement any good? The Institute's Heather Wilhelm is featured in the Wall Street Journal.
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Institute's Work on Fat Taxes Featured on Special Report with Bret Baier
12/4/2009

The University of Illinois at Chicago received a million dollar grant to study the effectiveness of 'fat taxes'.
read more...

IllinoisOpenGov Dominates the Radio Waves
12/4/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Government Reform Kate Campaigne Piercy discusses the Institute's new transparency website illinoisopengov.org with over a dozen shows on the Illinois airwaves. Hear them here.
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New Searchable Site Lets You Track How Tax Dollar Is Spent
12/3/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute wanted more accountability and transparency in state government. So the Institute's Kate Piercy says they now have a Web site that tracks how each tax dollar is spent.
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For Illinois Taxes, What's Good for Me is Good for Thee
12/3/2009


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Putting the Spotlight on State Spending
12/2/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute’s new website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, gives Illinois taxpayers an online X-ray machine into the details of state spending – and provides an unbiased look into raw state government spending data.
read more...

Kristina Rasmussen Discusses Health Care on WJBC
12/1/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute's Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen discusses the costs of the proposed healthcare reform bill on Illinois's taxpayers. If passed, nationalized health care would cost Illinois 169,000 jobs over ten years.
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The Transparency Test
11/30/2009

How easy is it to track how county governments spend your tax dollars? Kate Campaigne Piercy is quoted in an article about how effectively certain Illinois counties are posting their expenditures online.
read more...

The Illinois Budget Is Broken: Embracing the Simple at the Expense of the Wise
11/25/2009

Illinois Review mentions some of our budget reforms that would save the state billions of dollars
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Rep. Peter Roskam Discusses Institute's Study on Fox News
11/24/2009

Representative Peter Roskam appeared on Fox News to discuss the the Institute's study
read more...

Illinois Residents Need School Voucher Program
11/23/2009

Collin Hitt, our Director of Education Policy, has an op-ed about school vouchers and the new role that state Sen. James Meeks could play in the debate.
read more...

John Tillman Unveils Health Care Study with Congressmen Kirk and Roskam
11/23/2009

This is a video of John Tillman's opening remarks at a press conference on Nov. 23. The Institute presented our new study Adding Insult to Injury.
read more...

Free Market Groups See Soda-Tax Conspiracy
11/18/2009

The Institute is mentioned in an article about how taxpayers are funding a university study that will almost certainly call for higher taxes.
read more...

New Report: Charter Schools Raising the Bar for English Learners and Hispanic Students
11/17/2009

Collin Hitt, The Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Education Policy, is featured in The Examiner this week. He discusses how charter schools improve english language education.
read more...

Taxpayers Pay Too Much; Get Too Little
11/13/2009

The Times Weekly has a story about our report card on higher education in Illinois, in which the state receives failing grades in all four categories.
read more...

Kristina Rasmussen on WJBC with Jim Fitzpatrick
11/12/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, talks about the cost of high-speed rail.
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Stimulus Job Numbers: The Ultimate in “Fuzzy Math”
11/10/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, is featured in the Examiner. She discusses the stimulus' impact on Illinois.
read more...

Liberty Leader Letter to the Editor on Charter Schools
11/6/2009

Liberty Leader Nancy Thorner mentions the work of the Institute in a letter to the editor featured in the Chicago Tribune.
read more...

Do Illinois State Colleges Make the Grade?
11/4/2009

Michael Demkovich, a Marketing and Communications Associate with the Institute, is featured in the Examiner. He discusses the Institute's new report on higher education in Illinois.
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Think tanks flunk Illinois colleges on affordability
10/30/2009


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Television Coverage from 'Getting Less for More'
10/30/2009

Following the release of our report "Getting Less for More" on higher education in Illinois, the Institute received television coverage from WICD in Champaign, WCCU in Champaign, WICS Springfield, and WLS Chicago.
read more...

Collin Hitt: State's Public Universities Need Better Management
10/29/2009

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Government Reform is featured in the State Journal-Register.
read more...

This Bid’s for You! How Online Reverse Auctions Save Taxpayers Millions
10/27/2009

Kate Campaigne Piercy, the Institute's Director of Government Reform, is featured in The Examiner. She discusses how online reverse auctions can reduce costs.
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Dubious Ideas? Double Down!
10/21/2009

Heather Wilhelm, the Institute's VP of Marketing and Communications, is featured in The Examiner. She writes about proposals to increase Illinois's tax rate.
read more...

Letter to the Editor: Account for Every Transit Dollar Spent
10/19/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, has a letter featured in the Daily Herald about how the RTA and Pace can - and should - spend taxpayer dollars more efficiently.
read more...

John Tillman Discusses the State Budget on Chicago Tonight
10/16/2009

Our CEO John Tillman appears on a panel with representatives from Truth in Accounting and Progress Illinois to discuss the Illinois budget problem and possible solutions.
read more...

Ex-Missouri Governor Promotes Open Government
10/15/2009

Former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt said in Springfield Wednesday that he backs the kind of government transparency program being pushed by the Illinois Policy Institute.
read more...

Ex-Gov. Blunt addresses Illinois neighbors about ‘transparency’
10/15/2009

Former Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt was in Springfield today, addressing the Illinois Policy Institute about how Illinois might make its government spending and operations more “transparent.”
read more...

Putting the Spotlight on State Spending
10/15/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute’s upcoming website, IllinoisOpenGov.org, will give Illinois taxpayers that tool – essentially, an online X-ray machine into the details of state spending – and provide an unbiased look into raw state government spending data,
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33 Think Tanks Unveil Plan for Patient-Centered Health Reform
10/14/2009

State think tanks present an alternative to the Baucus Bill - empower patients to choose their own care.
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The ObamaCare Alternative
10/13/2009

Together with 32 State Think Tanks, Illinois Policy Institute Announces Patient-Centered Health Care Reforms
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Tax Amnesty Plan Better Way to Go
10/8/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, has a letter to the editor featured in the Champaign News-Gazette
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Hoosiers Know How to Take Care of Business
10/6/2009

Governor Mitch Daniels was in Chicago last week to address an audience eager to hear Indiana's story, the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute.
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Nuturing 'School Minds'
10/5/2009

A study released last week by the Illinois Policy Institute and the Lexington Institute, shows that both Hispanic students and English-language learners in UNO schools score better on state reading and math tests.
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Stimulus: Obama's High-Speed Rail Plan Will Tear Springfield Asunder
10/5/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, is featured on Red County. She discusses some of the bad consequences that high-speed rail could bring to Springfield.
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Mitch Daniels: Olympics Vote Wasn't Chicago Style
10/5/2009

One of Mitch Daniels's comments on the Olympic vote is featured in the Indy Star.
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Legislature Stalls Cities' Use of Reverse Internet Auctions to Hire Contractors
10/1/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute, which favors free-market policies, said a month ago that the [reverse auction process] can save millions of dollars and increases transparency.
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An Oversimplification About Charter Schools and ELLs
10/1/2009

An analysis released this week by the Illinois Policy Institute and the Arlington, Va.-based Lexington Institute found that both ELLs and Hispanics in the UNO charter schools and other charter schools in Chicago with high populations...
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Randal O'Toole on WTAX Radio
9/30/2009

Randal O'Toole, a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, has been working closely with the Illinois Policy Institute on the high-speed rail issue and addresses the topic on WTAX radio with Bob Murray.
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John Tillman Discusses Charter Schools on Chicago Tonight
9/30/2009

John Tillman, the Institute's CEO, appears on Chicago Tonight to discuss how Chicago has abolished the desegregation decree and suggests that a real solution to the core problem of poor education could be found within charter schools.
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Educator: Springfield Needs More Charter Schools
9/30/2009

The Illinois Times provides detailed coverage of our charter school event with Dr. Patrick Hardy on September 23.
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Smoke, Mirrors and Synchronized Swimming
9/29/2009

Michael Demkovich, a Marketing and Communications Associate with the Institute, is featured in the Examiner. He gives some reasons why having the Olympics some to Chicago may not be as exciting as you'd think.
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State Journal-Register Covers Institute School Choice Lunch
9/28/2009

Pat Hardy, chief academic offi­cer for the Rockford schools, suggested the Springfield public school system needs more char­ter schools in a speech at a breakfast the Illinois Policy Insti­tute hosted at the Sangamo Club on Wednesday.
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Tax Credit Expiration Concerns Local Real Estate Agents
9/25/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, is quoted in an article by the State Journal-Register about the tax credits associated with home ownership.
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Studies Show Value of Charter Schools
9/25/2009

A study by the Illinois Policy Institute of nine suburban and downstate charter schools showed that charters in this state have stepped up their game, too. The institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group dedicated to free enterprise and school choice.
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Do the Right Thing
9/24/2009

John Tillman, the Institute's CEO, is featured in the Examiner. He comments on Mark Kirk's position shift on cap-and-trade.
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Collin Hitt: Urban Prep Model Should Be Used across Illinois
9/23/2009

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Education Policy, proposes some solutions to the growing problems in Illinois's education system.
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Illinois Policy Institute Warns Against Contribution Caps
9/23/2009

John Tillman is interviewed on WJBC radio and says capping campaign contributions would hurt anyone challenging an incumbent.
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Press Release: Illinois Shows Dramatic Slip in Business Climate 
Ranking
9/23/2009

According to the Tax Foundation’s annual “State Business Tax Climate Index,” Illinois falls from 23rd in the nation to 30th in term of its business tax climate.
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Why 'Soak the Rich' Doesn't Work - John Tillman on Fox Chicago
9/17/2009

Illinois Policy Institute's John Tillman is interviewed on Good Day Chicago on September 14. John discusses the
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Give Charters the College Try
9/16/2009

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Education Policy, is featured in the Examiner. He discusses what Illinois can learn from Missouri's charter school policies.
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High-Speed Rail System Would Take Illinois for a Ride
9/10/2009

Cato transit expert Randal O'Toole - who will be joining the Institute at an event about high-speed rail on Sept. 30 - is referenced in a story from Crain's Chicago Business.
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“Pure Michigan”: Lessons from a Struggling State
9/9/2009

Heather Wilhelm, the Institute's Vice President of Marketing and Communications, is featured in the Examiner. She writes about what Illinois can learn from Michigan's failing tax-and-spend policies.
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Back from the Dead: Hynes Raises the Specter of a Massive Illinois Income Tax Increase
9/3/2009

Earlier in 2009, Illinois families and businesses faced down the threat of Governor Pat Quinn’s 50 percent income tax increase. Although his plan was soundly defeated in the House, worse ideas have surfaced.
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Stock up: Illinois Sales Taxes on Grooming Products, Candy and Alcohol Going up Tuesday
8/31/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, is featured in the Examiner. She discusses the taxes that take effect in Illinois on September 1.
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Liberty Leaders Win at Political Bumper Cars
8/26/2009

Richard Lorenc, the Institute's Director of Outreach, is featured in the Examiner. He writes about why a go-it-alone philosophy may not be be best strategy in the fight for liberty.
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Kristina Rasmussen: Fast-Tracking High-Speed Plans Is Not Sound Policy
8/25/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, is featured in the State Journal- Register discussing high-speed railways in Illinois.
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Group Pans State's Efforts to List Stimulus Projects
8/17/2009

Officials at the Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan but conservative research organization, also have been critical of stimulus disclosure efforts.
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Roadside 'Propaganda' a Sign of Discontent
8/13/2009

Illinois Policy Institute critical of cost to designate projects paid for with stimulus funds.
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Illinois Policy Institute Marks Cost of Government Day
8/13/2009

You won't find it on your desk calendar, and the people behind Cost of Government Day say it's no reason to celebrate.
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Cost of Government Day Gives Illinois Taxpayers No Reason To Celebrate
8/12/2009

Illinoisans work 224 out of 365 days this year to pay their share of government spending.
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Beyond “Business As Usual”
8/12/2009

Kate Campaigne Piercy, the Institute's Director of Government Reform, is featured in the Examiner. She writes about the Village of Glenview as a model for the adoption of new guiding principles and best practices in government.
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Cost of Government Day in Quinn's Illinois
8/12/2009

In spite of tax-hike-free budget alternatives being put forth by third-party groups like the Alliance for Growth and the Illinois Policy Institute, the Illinois legislature passed a tax increase package.
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True Cost May Derail High-Speed Push
8/11/2009

In a report by the Illinois Policy Institute entitled
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Not So Fast, Opponents Say of Rail Service
8/10/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute, a nonpartisan research organization that supports free market principles and liberty-based public policy initiatives, released a report July 9,
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High-Speed Rail Would Take 8 States for a Ride
8/5/2009

The Institute's recent work on the fallacies of high-speed rail is making news across the Midwest.
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Where Is Illinois Stimulus Money Being Spent?
8/5/2009

CBS News Reporter Jay Levine talks to Illinois Policy Institute's John Tillman about transparency in stimulus spending...
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Bubble Trouble
8/4/2009

John Tillman, the Institute's CEO, is featured in the Examiner. He writes about the over-inflated housing bubble.
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The Institute's Impact: 2010 Budget Solutions
7/31/2009

The Institute had a variety of media appearances promoting our 2010 Budget Solutions, in which we demonstrated sensible ways to balance the budget by reforming spending and not resorting to tax increases.
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Midwest Governors Push for High Speed Rail Network
7/30/2009

John Tillman reveals the potential consequences and the flaws of high speed rail that politicians choose to ignore...
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Ten Questions to Ask Illinois Lawmakers About the New Budget
7/30/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute is a great resource for learning more about what's happening in our state government...
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High Speed Rail Is Expensive and Inefficient
7/30/2009

Randal O'Toole of the Cato Institute discusses the wastefulness that high speed rail would bring to Illinois...
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School's Out, Forever? Charter Schools and the Dropout Crisis
7/29/2009

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Education Policy, is featured in the Examiner. He discusses the droupout crisis in Springfield and the role of charter schools for increasing graduation rates.
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Springfield Tax Fight Energizes State GOP
7/28/2009

House Minority Leader Tom Cross acknowledges the Illinois Policy Institute's efforts in the income tax hike debate...
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Expand Charter School Efforts in Springfield
7/21/2009

Could charter schools be the solution for Springfield's low graduation rates?
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Honk If You'd Pay $1,000 for High-Speed Rail
7/21/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Vice President, is featured in the Examiner. She writes about the false promises of a high-speed rail in Illinois.
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The Cost of Stimulus Money
7/20/2009

Could the federal stimulus package be responsible for budget cuts in Illinois' human services?
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Tax Increase Would Stifle Illinois Growth
7/20/2009

A tax increase could make Illinois a more expensive place to live and work...
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Liberty Up at Bat
7/14/2009

Richard Lorenc, the Institute's Director of Outreach, is featured in the Examiner. He writes about the 'Free Marketeers.'
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Illinois Policy Institute Discusses Ways to Balance the Budget Without Tax Increases on Fox Chicago
7/9/2009

On July 8, 2009 Illinois Policy Institute CEO appeared on Fox Chicago's 'Good Day Chicago' program to discuss the continuing state budget stalemate and five ideas to cut the budget and avoid a tax hike.
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Don’t Feel like Sisyphus
7/8/2009

Kate Campaigne Piercy, the Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Government Reform, is featured in the Examiner this week. She writes about what you can do to impact politics in Illinois.
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Kristina Rasmussen talks taxes on WMAY Springfield with Mark Thoma
7/1/2009

Illinois Policy Institute Vice President Kristina Rasmussen talks myth vs. fact about the Illinois budget mess.
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Chicago Public Radio Features TweetIllinois
7/1/2009

TweetIllinois' success is drawing some attention...
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Who’s Snoozing Now?
6/25/2009

John Tillman, the Institute's CEO, is featured in the Examiner. He wonders how many people will have to miss family dinners and little league games to pay the tab for government programs that diminish people's independence and drive to succeed.
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Should state pay $4 billion into retirement plan?
6/22/2009

When state lawmakers return to Springfield on Tuesday, they'll try to hammer out fixes to a statewide construction program and are expected to continue battling over the still-unsigned budget.
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John Tillman: Don't Be Fooled by Cries of Wolf from Lawmakers
6/16/2009

John Tillman's op-ed is featured in the State Journal Register. He discusses the Illinois Policy Institute's Budget Solutions 2010.
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The Institute's Impact: June 2009
6/16/2009

Download our report and learn about the latest impacts of the Illinois Policy Institute.
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TweetIllinois Featured in the Chicago Tribune
6/15/2009

The Chicago Tribune features TweetIllinois.org as an medium for lawmakers to debate and communicate.
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Chicago Tribune Features Institute
6/15/2009

Senate Republican Leader and House Republican Leader write an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune and recommend the Institute's reform policies.
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Southtown Star Column Features the Illinois Policy Institute
6/10/2009

Fran Eaton's column in the Southtown Star features the Illinois Policy Institute's budget proposals.
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With More Charter Schools in Chicago, More Kids Can Compete
6/10/2009

Collin Hitt, the Institute's Director of Education Policy, is featured in the Examiner. He discusses the importance of increasing charter schools in the city.
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Illinois Policy Institute Featured on Common Sense
6/9/2009

Paul Jacob's Common Sense column features the Illinois Policy Institute's stand against tax hikes.
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Kristina Rasmussen Interviewed on WJBC
6/8/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute Vice President weighs in the Taxpayer Action Board's recommendations presented by Gov. Quinn.
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John Tillman Appears on Good Day Chicago
6/5/2009

Illinois Policy Institute John Tillman appears on FOX News Good Day Chicago to discuss balancing the budget without increasing taxes.
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Press Release on Taxpayer Action Board
6/4/2009

Taxpayer Action Board report shows path to budget savings and demonstrates need for Sunshine Commission.
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The Chicago Tribune Recommends the Illinois Policy Institute's Budget Suggestions
6/4/2009

The Chicago Tribune mentions the Illinois Policy Institute's solid recommendations for saving billions of dollars in state spending.
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Illinois Policy Institute Discusses Balancing the Budget on Fox News
6/4/2009

On June 4, 2009 the Illinois Policy Institute John Tillman appeared on Fox News Chicago to discuss the Institute's plan to balance the state budget without a tax hike.
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Reforming Medicaid... Before It Swallows Us Whole
6/3/2009

Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Vice President, is featured in the Examiner. She writes about the necessity of healthcare reform.
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Big Government is a Luxury Good
5/27/2009

Richard Lorenc, the Institute's Director of Outreach, is featured in the Examiner. He writes about Illinois's luxury budget during tough economic times.
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Institute CEO John Tillman discusses budget fear tactics on Fox Chicago
5/26/2009

On May 26, 2009 Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on Fox Chicago News to discuss Governor Quinn's fear tactics over the budget showdown.
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Letter to the Editor: Public Workers Should Have Fair Pay and Benefits
5/26/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute Vice President, Kristina Rasmussen, wrote a letter to the editor in the Wall Street Journal about Illinois's budget struggles.
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The Hidden Ills of Campaign Finance Reform
5/21/2009

In today’s State Journal Register, our executive vice president, Kristina Rasmussen, makes the case against proposed state campaign finance reforms.
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The Road to Transparency
5/21/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute's Director of Government Reform, Kate Campaigne, is featured in the Examiner. She writes about the recently passed transparency legislation.
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The Year of the Ponzi Scheme
5/14/2009

Heather Wilhelm, the Institute's Vice President of Marketing and Communications, is featured in the Examiner. In this article she discusses the government's Ponzi-like financial system.
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Institute Signs Coalition Letter to Stop Illinois Tax Hike
5/11/2009

The Illinois Policy Institute joins other non-partisan organizations in signing a coalition letter to stop Gov. Quinn's tax hike.
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John Tillman discusses the Cook County sales tax roll-back vote on CBS 2 Chicago
5/6/2009

On May 5, 2009 Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman commented on that day's repeal of the recent Cook County sales tax increase.
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Cook County Vote Reveals Sad Truth About Sales Tax
5/5/2009

Illinois Policy Institute issues 'The Biggest Loser' report to show how high sales tax in Cook County is pushing shoppers and revenue to other counties.
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John Tillman Interviewed on WLPO Morning Update with John Spencer
5/4/2009

John Tillman was interviewed on the WLPO Morning Update with John Spencer on April 30, 2009.
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Tom Cross Interviewed on WTAX AM with Bob Murray
5/4/2009

House Republican Leader Tom Cross is interviewed on WTAX AM show with Bob Murray on April 30, 2009.
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Illinois House Republicans Urge Speaker Madigan to Schedule Vote on Economic Reform
4/30/2009

House Republicans and the Illinois Policy Institute are urging Speaker Madigan to schedule a vote on a comprehensive economic agenda that would rein in spending and inject transparency and accountability into the state budget.
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House Speaker Madigan Denies Vote on Economic Reform Package
4/30/2009

Speaker Mike Madigan and House Democrats rejected an opportunity to inject true reforms into the state budget yesterday afternoon at the state capitol.
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Illinois Policy Institute launches Tweet Illinois.org
4/30/2009


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Institute Reviews Taxpayer Action Board Recommendations
4/28/2009

Taxpayers can be cautiously optimistic that the recently-organized Taxpayer Action Board will offer some sound policy ideas, but Illinoisans need to be aware of “reform” ideas that could ultimately lead to more government spending.
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Kate Campaigne, Director of Government Reform Featured in Crain's
4/20/2009

The Institute's Director of Government Reform discusses the importance of transparency regarding TIF funds.
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John Tillman and Kristina Rasmussen Speak at the Chicago Tea Party
4/20/2009

On April 15, the Institute was featured at the spoke Chicago Tax Day Tea Party, which brought thousands to the Loop to protest out-of-control spending.
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Tea Party Recap: John Tillman On Chicago Tonight
4/17/2009

What did the Tea Parties across Illinois mean for state and national politics? John Tillman, Institute CEO, was featured on Chicago Tonight to discuss the events and their impact.
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John Tillman & Kristina Rasmussen speak at Chicago Tea Party
4/16/2009

Institute CEO John Tillman called on Tax Day protesters to take the lead in making Illinois and the country a shining beacon of liberty once again.
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Tom Cross and John Tillman : State Needs to Get Moving on Economic Reform Agenda
4/14/2009

The State Journal Register features an op-ed by Tom Cross and John Tillman regarding an economic reform agenda for Illinois.
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Press Release: Institute Supports Transparency Reform
4/1/2009

Today, the Illinois Policy Institute, a non-partisan think tank, is calling on the leadership in Springfield to consider important transparency reform-—a reform that would shine a spotlight on the state spending priorities that have caused the current $11
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Institute Podcast: What Would Tax Hikes Mean for Illinois?
4/1/2009

The Tax Foundation recently talked to Kristina Rasmussen, the Institute's Executive Vice President, about the potential impact of tax hikes on Illinois.
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The Institute's Impact: Who Will Really Pay for Gov. Quinn's Tax Increase?
3/31/2009

In March of 2009, the Illinois Policy Institute’s work for comprehensive spending and pro-taxpayer reforms earned coverage across the state – and across the nation. Here are some of the highlights
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Illinois Policy Institute Featured in the Washington Times
3/27/2009

Institute Vice President Kristina Rasmussen mentioned in the Washington Times.
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John Tillman Talks Taxes on WIND-AM 560, Chicago
3/26/2009

John Tillman discussed the Governor's proposed tax hike on one of Chicago's top morning shows. You can listen to the full interview here.
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Media Impact Report: March 2009
3/26/2009

This month, the Institute has been featured in six major television appearances, The Wall Street Journal, The Chicago Tribune, Crain’s Chicago Business, and seventeen high-profile radio shows. Learn more in our media impact report.
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If Blago Wasn't Bad Enough: Kristina Rasmussen in National Review Online
3/26/2009

The news coming out of the state capital in Illinois slowed following the impeachment and removal of disgraced Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich. But a proposal from newly installed Gov. Pat Quinn to dramatically increase tax rates has put the spotlight bac
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A $3 Billion Suggestion
3/26/2009

John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute is featured this week in the Examiner.
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Institute Praised in Chicago Tribune
3/24/2009

Illinois Policy Institute featured in the Chicago Tribune regarding Gov. Quinn's proposed tax hike.
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Illinois Policy Institute featured in Crain's Chicago Business
3/23/2009

Greg Hinz features work by the Illinois Policy Institute regarding Gov. Quinn's Tax Hike.
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Wall Street Journal Features Illinois Policy Institute Budget Analysis
3/23/2009

Wall Street Journal editorial mentions the Institute's tax hike analysis.
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Institute Featured in Belleville News-Democrat March 19,2009
3/20/2009

Illinois Policy Institute featured in article regarding reform for political donations.
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CEO John Tillman Debates Governor Quinn on Tax Hike March 20, 2009
3/20/2009

Institute CEO debates Gov. Quinn on his proposed tax hikes on Fox News Chicago.
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John Tillman Talks Spending on Fox News Chicago
3/19/2009

Governor Quinn wants to hike taxes...but what about our state's spending problem? John Tillman discussed common-sense spending cuts on Fox News Chicago.
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Institute Featured in St. Louis Dispatch March 19, 2009
3/19/2009

Illinois Policy Institute featured in St. Louis Dispatch to discuss pension problems.
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John Tillman Featured on NBC 5 News
3/19/2009

As Roland Burris tries to fundraise for his legal expense fund, Illinois is left without adequate representation in Washington, D.C., says Institute CEO John Tillman.
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Governor Quinn and His Tax Increase Madness
3/18/2009

Your business is failing, losing customers to competitors who are more friendly, more efficient and provide better overall value. What do you do? Raise prices, right? You do if you are Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
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Institute on CBS: What are you shelling out for taxes?
3/18/2009

Illinois has so many taxes, it's hard to keep track. CBS 2 Chicago features Institute CEO John Tillman to discuss our state's tax problem.
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John Tillman Appears on Fox Chicago
3/16/2009

John Tillman, Illinois Policy Institute CEO, appeared on Fox Chicago to discuss Gov. Quinn's proposed tax hike.
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House Leader Tom Cross Promotes Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on Capital Week in Review
3/16/2009

House Republican Leader Tom Cross promoted his work with the Institute and its Economic Reform Agenda on the Capital Week In Review radio show. He discussed Illinois' spending problem and how we can fix it.
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AP: Illinois Budget: Plenty of Problems, Few Solutions
3/16/2009

Institute CEO John Tillman speaks on the state's economic problems and a way to fix them in this AP interview.
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John Tillman on Fox News March 13
3/16/2009

Illinois Policy Institute CEO, John Tillman, appeared on Fox News Chicago to discuss Gov. Quinn's proposed tax hike.
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What does Quinn's proposed tax hike mean for Illinois? CBS Chicago features Institute
3/16/2009

Institute CEO John Tillman appeared on CBS Chicago to discuss Governor Quinn's proposed income tax hike and how it would put the Illinois economy in bad shape.
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Tom Cross Promotes Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on WGN Radio
3/16/2009

Tom Cross talks about Illinois Policy Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on WGN Radio
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John Tillman on Fox's The Ten
3/13/2009

Illinois spends $40 million per year on the Sports Facilities Board. That's one of many examples of around $700 billion in wasteful spending in 2008.
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Charter School Testimony
3/12/2009


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John Tillman Interviewed on the Greg and Dan Show
3/12/2009

Institute CEO John Tillman speaks about the Economic Reform Agenda on the Greg and Dan Show (WMBD-AM)
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John Tillman Interviewed on the Michael Koolidge Show (WHRL-AM 1060)
3/12/2009

Institute CEO John Tillman interviewed about the Economic Reform Agenda on the Michael Koolidge Show.
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John Tillman Interviewed on the Ray Hanania Radio Show
3/12/2009

John Tillman interviewed about the Economic Reform Agenda on the Ray Hanania Radio Show (WJJG-AM 1530).
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Tom Cross Interviewed About Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on Morning News with Bob Murray
3/11/2009

Tom Cross supports Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on Morning News Watch with Bob Murray.
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Illinois Policy Institute Praised by Tom Cross on Chicago Public Radio
3/11/2009

House Republican Leader Tom Cross interviewed about the Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on Eight Forty-Eight Program.
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Illinois Policy Institute Praised by Tom Cross on The Roe Conn Show
3/11/2009

Tom Cross interviewed about support of the Institute's Economic Reform Agenda on WSL-AM890.
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John Tillman interviewed on the Speaking at Will Show with Will Stephens
3/10/2009

Institute CEO speaks with Will Stephens.
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John Tillman with Jeff Berkowitz on Public Affairs
3/4/2009


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Illinois’ Mayors Ask For Billions of Stimulus Dollars
2/24/2009


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When CNBC's Rick Santelli called for a 'Chicago Tea Party'
2/20/2009

When CNBC's Rick Santelli called for a 'Chicago Tea Party' on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade on Thursday morning, the traders agreed that government policy to bailout those who made bad risks was ill-advised and should be reviewed.
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