Institute of Government and Public Affairs

The Illinois Report 2012 Provides Research and Analysis on Toughest Issues Facing Illinois

Kelsey McCoy — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:38:59 +0000

February 15, 2012_Illinois faces a difficult and complex set of public policy issues, ranging from rapidly changing demographics within the state’s population to a very precarious fiscal position and the need to improve an educational system that prepares new generations to lead the state. IGPA's The Illinois Report 2012 seeks to provide current policymakers with informed, non-partisan research and analysis to help them confront these and other issues. The Illinois Report 2012 is the sixth annual issue of the IGPA publication.

Reworking the State Universities Retirement System

Kelsey McCoy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:32:35 +0000

IGPA has proposed a new hybrid retirement system for employees of public colleges and universities that would be partially funded by additional contributions from workers and the universities that employ them. Click here to read the full paper.

The plan concentrates on the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and is designed to reduce the state government’s payments into the system by billions of dollars over time.

Flash Index dips slightly in January

jimpaul — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:32:40 +0000

February 1, 2012 _ After two consecutive months of gains, the University of Illinois Flash Index dipped slightly in January to 98.8, reflecting the continued sluggish pace of recovery in Illinois.

Young Alumni Series to feature Stephanie Faraci of Provena-Resurrection Health

Kelsey McCoy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:57:09 +0000

On Monday, February 13 a young alumna who has worked her way to the top of health care advocacy in Illinois will share her story and inspire motivation at this semester’s first event in the Young Alumni Series: Illini in Government and Politics.

IGPA Researchers Find Way Out of Deficit, But Policies May be Too Tough for Struggling State to Handle

Kelsey McCoy — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:27:25 +0000

Despite a large income tax increase implemented a year ago, economists remain skeptical that the long-term structural deficit issue will be resolved though current policies. New projections by IGPA experts found that a combination of tough policies could bring the state into fiscal balance by the end of the decade.

Illinois' lowered rating: What does it mean?

jimpaul — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:18:42 +0000

Jan. 11, 2012 _ Illinois' debt rating has taken another hit from a major credit-rating service. IGPA economist Richard F. Dye (left) examines the ramifcations of the latest setback for the state's fiscal health.

Quinn's Three Year Budget Projection Takes Realistic Long View

Kelsey McCoy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:06:01 +0000

Jan. 10, 2012 _ The state’s fiscal challenges continue to loom large despite a significant income tax increase and spending cap implemented almost a year ago. During the first week of January, Governor Quinn’s Office of Management and Budget issued budget projection reports that take a look at the state’s fiscal trajectory over the next three years.

Flash Index Reaches Post-Recession High in December

Kelsey McCoy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:00:15 +0000

Jan. 3, 2012 _ The University of Illinois Flash Index increased to 99.1 in December, a new post-recession high. The results are the highest reading since November 2008, when the index declined to 100, the dividing line between economic expansion and contraction. The results ended the year on a positive note, reflecting the slow but steady recovery that occurred in 2011.

Illinois Economic Review: Illinois job growth since end of recession now exceeds 100,000

jimpaul — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:49:35 +0000

Dec. 19, 2011 _ Illinois job growth since the end of the 2007-2009 recession has new exceeded 100,000 , according to the Illinois Economic Review, published by IGPA's Regional Economic Applications Laboratory. Read the latest review.

IGPA economist Don Fullerton elected VP of international association

Kelsey McCoy — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:56:29 +0000

December 5, 2011_IGPA economist Don Fullerton has been elected vice president of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists. Fullerton has been at IGPA since 2009 and also is the Gutsgell Professor of Finance at the Urbana-Champaign campus. His research focuses on energy and environmental policy issues. He also has done extensive research on taxation issues.