Illinois Policy Institute Explained

Illinois Policy Institute
Formation:2002
Founder:Greg Blankenship
Leader Title:CEO
Leader Name:Matt Paprocki
Revenue:$6.59 million[1]
Revenue Year:2016
Expenses:$6.9 million
Expenses Year:2016

The Illinois Policy Institute (IPI) a free market nonprofit think tank with offices in Chicago and Springfield. Founded in 2002, it is active in the areas of education policy, pension policy, and state budget issues.[2] IPI advocates for smaller government and lower taxes.[3] [4] It has an affiliated lobbying arm and legal arm.[3] IPI is a member of the State Policy Network, a consortium of free-market think tanks in the U.S.[5]

History

Originally founded by Greg Blankenship, the organization was relaunched by John Tillman in 2007. It expanded its work and influence after Tillman took over.[6] IPI raised $341,000 in 2007 and $6.4 million in 2016.[7] In 2018, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "Its studies and opinion pieces on cutting government spending and boosting transparency became must-read material to many Republicans, some Democrats — and the governor of Illinois."[7] IPI was described by ProPublica Illinois as "arguably the most influential conservative organization in the state."[8] The Chicago Sun-Times described the group as "leading a crusade against government regulations, state spending and labor unions in Illinois."[9]

IPI formerly operated the Illinois News Network, transferring ownership of that entity to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity in January 2018. IPI has received financial support from charitable foundations associated with the Koch, Mercer, Uihlein, and Rauner families.[10]

Operations

The group worked closely with former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican and past donor to IPI,[11] during the first several years of his gubernatorial tenure.[12] [13] However, Rauner's relationship with IPI deteriorated[14] in part due to an article by ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Sun-Times which reported that IPI's leadership had "moved millions of dollars around five interconnected nonprofits they run, steering money to for-profit ventures in which they have a stake." Tilllman denied any wrongdoing, saying "Obviously, these are all fully disclosed transactions, all at fair market value as they should be."[15]

Following the Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, plaintiff Mark Janus left his job with the state of Illinois to become a senior fellow at IPI, which had helped fund his case.[16] [17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Illinois Policy Institute . Nonprofit Explorer . 9 May 2013 . ProPublica . 19 December 2018.
  2. News: Wells . Rachel . Conservative think tank to Illinois: Turn Right . 19 December 2018 . Illinois Times . July 22, 2010.
  3. News: Arnold . Tony . A Closer Look At The Group That Could Inform Rauner's Agenda . 19 December 2018 . National Public Radio . July 24, 2017.
  4. News: Dietrich . Matt . Chicago soda tax throws a batting practice fastball to Illinois Policy Institute . 19 December 2018 . PolitiFact Illinois . August 7, 2017.
  5. News: Korecki . Natasha . New Illinois news site designed to counter Breitbart, IPI . 26 June 2019 . Politico . April 30, 2018.
  6. Web site: As Conservative Group Grows In Influence, Financial Dealings Enrich Its Leaders. Mick Dumke. Tina Sfondeles. 2018-02-08. ProPublica. en. 2020-01-11.
  7. News: Dumke . Mick . Sfondeles . Tina . Small-government think tank yields big bucks for nonprofit's leaders . 19 December 2018 . Chicago Sun-Times . February 11, 2018 . 19 December 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181219090951/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/small-government-think-tank-yields-big-bucks-for-nonprofits-leaders/ . dead .
  8. Web site: Dumke. Mick. Amid Affordable Housing Dispute, Conservatives Seek a Home in Chicago. 2020-10-29. ProPublica. en.
  9. News: Dumke . Mick . Mihalopoulos . Dan . 'Independent' city watchdog Khan's secret backer? Right-wing policy group . 19 December 2018 . Chicago Sun-Times . February 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180118153605/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/independent-city-watchdog-khans-secret-backer-right-wing-policy-group/ . 2018-01-18 .
  10. Web site: Mihalopoulos. Mick Dumke,Dan. 'Independent' Watchdog's Secret Funder: Conservative Small-Government Group. 2020-10-29. ProPublica. en.
  11. News: Schoenburg . Bernard . Illinois Policy Institute got half million from Rauner . 19 December 2018 . State Journal-Register . November 7, 2013.
  12. News: Miller . Rich . Will J.B. Pritzker spark a new fire at conservative Illinois Policy Institute? . 19 December 2018 . Chicago Sun Times . November 30, 2018.
  13. News: Hinz . Greg . Pritzker opens the door to tax attack—and Rauner allies walk right in . 19 December 2018 . Crain's Chicago Business . October 17, 2018.
  14. News: Geiger. Kim. February 8, 2018. Rauner won't give 'another nickel' to former ally Illinois Policy Institute. Chicago Tribune. 19 December 2018.
  15. Web site: Sfondeles. Mick Dumke,Tina. Congressman Calls For Investigation Of Conservative Think Tank. 2020-10-29. ProPublica. en.
  16. Web site: State employee in major union-undermining Supreme Court case will join conservative think tank, tour the country. Pearson. Rick. Chicago Tribune. July 22, 2018. 2023-11-11.
  17. Web site: Mark Janus quits state job for conservative think tank gig after landmark ruling. Armentrout. Mitchell. Chicago Sun Times. 20 July 2018.