You are on page 1of 36

[Front Cover] People Changing Policy, Policy Changing Lives Illinois Policy Institute 2010 Annual Report

2011 Annual Report

Illinois Policy Institute

striding forward

From the CEO ....................................................................................1 Vision, mission and approach .......................................................2 Board of Directors .........................................................................3 Staff ......................................................................................................4 Striding forward: A letter from Kristina Rasmussen ........5 Policy Impact: Budget and taxes ................................................6 Policy Impact: Pension reform ....................................................8 Policy Impact: Educational choice ........................................ 10 Policy Impact: Health care reform ........................................ 12 Policy Impact: Entrepreneurship ............................................ 14 Timeline: 10 years of advancing liberty in Illinois .. 16 Policy Impact: Government accountability ....................... 18 Policy Impact: Liberty Justice Center ................................... 20 Policy Impact: Grassroots outreach ..................................... 21 Marketing and communications ............................................. 23 Events................................................................................................ 26 Financials ........................................................................................ 31 Giving: A note from John Tillman .......................................... 32

Cover photo: Illinois Policy Institute. Back cover photo:Valkanet Photography.

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

From the

CEO

The Illinois Policy Institute is helping to transform Illinois into a beacon of liberty and prosperity.

Is there any hope for Illinois?

his is perhaps the most common question I hear. Its all fueled by the disheartening news we hear about Illinois on a daily basis: the negative national reputation past decisions rightly have earned us, the incompetence of our political leaders to get results, the seemingly intractable nature of our broken political system and our ongoing economic decline. These seem to lead to the conclusion that Illinois is hopeless, but its not. The Illinois Policy Institute is showing the way forward and is helping to transform Illinois into a beacon of liberty and prosperity. We believe that Illinois future is bright. Im convinced more strongly than ever that Illinois once again will become an opportunity destination, and a state that attracts entrepreneurs, workers and investors rather than repelling them as we do today. Illinois once again will become a state where people from all walks of life whether rich or poor, immigrant or third generation, white, black or brown seek their own version of the American Dream. How can I believe this? Where is the evidence? Its in the thousands, perhaps millions, of people working today to change the impossible to the possible, the possible to the probable and the probable to the inevitable.

Other states once were thought hopeless. But the naysayers in Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and so many others were wrong. Indiana now is a leadership state, setting the bar for freer markets right here in the Midwest. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walkers reforms already are working and improving conditions in his state. It took bold citizen leadership to change the narrative of these states and to identify, recruit and elect better leaders over time. Politicians follow the peoples lead. That is why your leadership continues to matter so much. If politicians think you are not engaged, they know they have the playing field to themselves. We cannot leave the playing field unattended, and we are not. Im reminded of an eternal quote from the esteemed Milton Friedman: I do not believe that the solution to our problem is simply to elect the right people. The important thing is to establish a political climate of opinion which will make it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing. Unless it is politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing, the right people will not do the right thing either, or if they try, they will shortly be out of office. Inside this 2011 Annual Report you will see material evidence of civic engage-

ment, of showing the way forward on the necessary policy changes that once again will lead to Illinois rising. It might not seem like it, but the foundation has been and continues to be laid. On page 8 you can read about pension reform in Illinois and the fruit of our efforts. On page 14 you can read about what we are doing to help make Illinois a destination state for entrepreneurs. And there is so much more inside. Please enjoy reading; you will be one of the first to know that Illinois comeback is under way. Of course, nothing is inevitable without hard work and without financial support. On page 31 you will see material evidence of the ongoing investment of committed supporters to Illinois rise. If you are one of those investors, thank you! If you are thinking of investing, please give me a call today. You can reach me at 312-346-5700, ext. 203 or email me at jtillman@illinoispolicy.org. Sincerely,

John Tillman CEO P.S. Thank you for all you have done to see Illinois once again become a beacon of liberty and prosperity in the Midwest. Now, back to work, we have much more to do.
1

Photos: Mark Campell Creative.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Vision, mission and

approach

The Illinois Policy Institutes vision is to make Illinois first in economic outlook and job creation and to become a free enterprise leader for the rest of America.

Vision

The Illinois Policy Institute inspires changes in hearts, minds and laws through its mission to promote personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois and America. As a leading independent research and education organization, the Institute generates positive and sustainable policy solutions for citizens and lawmakers that help unleash talent and entrepreneurial ability.

Mission

The Illinois Policy Institutes approach is to transform liberty principles into marketable policies that become law. The ultimate sign of success is when free market ideas are turned into law and change lives for the better. What does this look like? Individuals and businesses become more prosperous without the fear of government favoritism or interference, families can choose a high-quality education for their kids, and citizens respect their government because it is open and transparent to all.

Approach

Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Directors
William (Bill) G. Becker iii
Bill Becker co-founded The Maine Heritage Policy Center in November 2002 and served as its president and CEO until December 2007. He continues to serve on its board of directors. In January 2008, Mr. Becker left the policy center to become a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Falmouth, Maine. He remains engaged in public policy issues, bringing to the Illinois Policy Institute his experience in the national think-tank movement, his background as founder of a think tank, his role in forging alliances with public policy and political organizations, his experience in candidate and referendum campaigns and his knowledge of the foundation and corporate giving community.

Board of

Terry T. campo, esq.

Terry T. Campo is a partner in the Washington, D.C.-based law firm Law Offices of Terry T. Campo, specializing in energy, environmental and transportation regulation. He is a native of Springfield, Ill. In 1994, Mr. Campo was a Republican candidate for Congress in Illinois 20th District. Campo also held political posts in the Reagan administration, in which he served as the general counsel and director of legislative affairs for the independent federal agency, ACTION, and later as its White House liaison and representative to the Presidents Council on Private Sector Initiatives. Additionally, Mr. Campo served as the special assistant and chief of staff for the General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Energy, in which he served as the principal counsel to the 1987 Energy Security Study.

elizaBeTh chrisTie

richard T. Weiss

Elizabeth Christie founded Avent America Inc. in 1992 and went on to grow the business into a mainstream brand within the U.S. infant feeding sector. In 1999, Ms. Christie became an equity partner in the family ownership of the Global Avent business and provided strategic direction. In early 2005, she helped lead the sale of the Global Avent business to Charterhouse Capital Partners Ltd. The sale was completed in June 2005 and she was appointed CEO of the new enterprise in July 2005. Within 14 months, Ms. Christie led the business through the sale process to Royal Philips of Holland. She retired in September 2006, and divides her time between nonprofit and commercial work. She also is involved in political activities focused on protecting free markets, lowering taxes and reducing government involvement in commercial enterprise.

John Tillman

Dick Weiss is a core equity senior portfolio manager at Wells Capital Management. Mr. Weiss joined Wells Capital Management from Strong Capital Management Inc. in 2004. Before the merger, he was vice chairman and CIO of Strong. He served as portfolio comanager of the Strong Advisor Common Stock Fund and the Strong Opportunity Fund. His investment knowledge and expertise have earned him several distinctions. In 1996 and 1997, Barrons named Mr. Weiss one of the Top 100 Fund Managers. In 2000, he was named Manager of the Decade by Money magazine and was named to Moneys 2002 Ultimate Investment Club. Mr. Weiss consistently has received Lippers No. 1 ranking for both the Common Stock Fund and Opportunity Fund for periods of five, 10 and 15 years, respectively.
Photos: Mark Campell Creative.

sTeve BroWn

Steve Brown joined Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (CHS), a Chicago-based private equity firm, in 1994. After holding numerous positions at the firm, he was promoted to partner in 2003. Mr. Brown co-heads the firms investing activities within the food and consumer product industries. Before joining CHS, Mr. Brown was employed by Heller Financial Inc. in Chicago, where he held various positions within Hellers commercial leveraged lending and real estate departments. He serves on the board of directors of Rinker Boat Co. LLC, and American Laser Centers LLC, and is a past board member of Weasler Engineering Inc., Monona Wire Corp., Norse Dairy Systems LLC, Otis Spunkmeyer Inc., CII Technologies Inc. and Cerex Advance Fabrics Inc.

John Tillman serves as CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute. A successful entrepreneur, Mr. Tillman has built and led organizations in the arenas of political activism, retailing, e-commerce and Internet access. Mr. Tillman previously served as president and COO of the Sam Adams Alliance and Foundation during their start-up phase. Before his time with Sam Adams, he served as president and director of Americans for Limited Government, where he helped ALG grow from a single, part-time employee in May 2004 to a staff of about 25 that had a significant role in shaping political activity in 13 states in 2006. In 2011, Mr. Tillman won the prestigious Roe Award for his leadership, innovation and accomplishments in the world of public policy. The Roe Award pays tribute to those in the state public policy movement whose achievements have greatly advanced the free market philosophy. Mr. Tillman has appeared in news media outlets ranging from Fox News to National Public Radio and is a regular guest on top Chicago radio shows. 3

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Staff
Leadership
John Tillman chief executive officer krisTina rasmussen executive vice president

Impact

Policy Reseach
Ted dabrowski vice president of policy
amanda Griffin-Johnson

Government Affairs
Collin hiTT senior director of government affairs brian CosTin director of outreach

Marketing & Communications


daniel anThony vice president of marketing & communications diana riCkerT director of media relations miChael demkoviCh marketing & communications manager emily dieTriCh marketing & communications associate

senior budget & tax policy analyst JonaThan inGram health care policy analyst mark Cavers government reform policy analyst miChael wille education policy analyst

External Relations
John ohara vice president of external relations kaTie Truesdell manager of external relations roxane Tyssen external relations associate

Operations

Jean huTTon operations manager

Academic Advisory Board


dr. roberT Podlasek Bradley University dr. PaTriCk mullen University of Illinois Springfield dr. william J. kresse Saint Xavier University dr. JonaThan bean Southern Illinois University

heaTher wilhelm, senior fellow, communications J. sCoTT moody, senior fellow, budget and tax policy Jerry aGar, multimedia fellow don soifer, senior fellow, education andrew busCh, senior fellow, finance and markets leonard Gilroy, senior fellow, regulation and privatization donna arduin, senior fellow, budget and tax policy John hill, senior fellow, energy policy Jim PorTerfield, senior fellow, health care policy marC levine, senior fellow, pension and investment policy dan ProfT, senior fellow, public policy

Senior Fellows

Photos: State Policy Network (upper middle) and Mark Campbell Creative (upper right).

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

forward

Striding

The Institute championed good ideas that became law, such as the Charter School Quality Act and the Tax Transparency Act.
pieces of legislation and helped author more than a dozen bills. Even with a tough political climate, the Institute championed good ideas that became law, such as the Charter School Quality Act and the Tax Transparency Act. Progress at times came in the form of stopping bad ideas, such as squashing massive plans for the state to borrow more money to cover its obligations. As Illinois fiscal woes hit new levels, we set the stage for major reforms in the near future. When elected officials fully wake up to the crises at hand, theyll have sound policy solutions ready to help move Illinois forward. The Institutes outreach efforts continue apace with the Liberty Leader program. More than 320 people participated in the Institutes new Adopt-A-District training, where they learned how to maximize their effect as grassroots activists on the local, state and federal levels. The Institute also released two editions of the Illinois General Assembly Vote Card covering the spring and fall legislative sessions. In 2011, our work was featured more than 800 times in newspapers, on TV and the radio. The Institutes marketing and communications team spent the year developing and strengthening relationships with key news media. This allowed the liberty message to reach new markets, such as the Spanish language audience. These efforts also afforded oppor-

he Illinois Policy Institute adopted a new mission statement in 2011 to better reflect what we seek to accomplish every day. Were determined to show the way forward and realize the vision of making Illinois first in economic outlook and job creation. With the right ideas and the right leaders, Illinois can be a free enterprise leader for the rest of America. This is a momentous goal. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Here is how the Institute helped liberty take great strides forward in 2011. Our stellar policy team honed in on pressing issues where quality, libertyinspired research could change hearts, minds and laws. Our policy team produced 48 policy reports for strategic and comprehensive initiatives including pension reform, school choice and open government. The inspiring ideas contained within were viewed on our website more than 95,000 times and downloaded more than 5,000 times. Not content to let transformative policy sit on a shelf, the Institute aggressively promoted much-needed reforms in the halls of the Statehouse in Springfield. Legislators received an expanded version of our Legislators Guide to the Issues, a much sought-after reference book. During the course of the year, Institute staff members met with lawmakers and legislative staffers more than 200 times, analyzed and testified on more than 40

In 2011, John Tillman received the prestigious Roe Award for his leadership, innovation and accomplishment in public policy.

tunities for the Institute to partner with high-profile news media on exclusive stories, such a partnership with FOX Chicago to calculate the cost of Gov. Rod Blagojevichs big-spending ways. Also, in 2011, the Institutes national influence was recognized and honored through the Roe Award, the SPNovation Award and the Templeton Freedom Award. A record level of support from our donors made all of this possible. Thank you for investing in a brighter future for Illinois and America. Sincerely,

Kristina Rasmussen Executive Vice President

Photos: Mark Campell Creative (above) and State Policy Netowrk (right).

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Budget and

taxes

Impact

Immediately after passage of the 2011 tax hike, the Illinois Policy Institute launched a campaign for repeal.
Policy Institute. Through its budget and tax research, the Institute heightened its standing as the states leading taxpayer watchdog. needed margin for the $7 billion tax increase, the largest in state history. The Institute team vigorously opposed the tax increase, and staff members made numerous news media appearances, including high-profile placements in The Wall Street Journal, ABC-7 Chicago, BBC Business News, WLS 890 AM with Cisco Cotto and the Chicago Tribune with John Kass.

axpayers and voters in Illinois are fed up. This became evident in November 2010 when the ruling party in Springfield saw its legislative majorities suffer the biggest losses in years. A record number of fiscal conservatives were swept into office. Facing the loss of their supermajority, Democrats passed a tax increase before newly elected members could take office. This was a desperate move by those fearful that the days of big government in Illinois were nearing an end, thanks in large part to the hard-hitting analysis from the Illinois

repeal The Tax hike


The Illinois Policy Institute was instrumental in stopping Gov. Pat Quinns tax hike proposals in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, his tax hike passed by the smallest possible majority during the final hours of the 96th General Assembly. Retiring and defeated Democrats provided the

Rep. Richard Morthland


Illinois State House 71st District
State Rep. Richard Morthland, a Republican from Cordova, is a freshman legislator who believes the Institute has been an absolutely invaluable asset in his effort to turn Illinois around. He notes that the Institutes work is essential reading for those who want to create a brighter economic future for Illinois and believe free markets are the best way to achieve that goal. The Institute provides legislators with access to thinkers, leaders and educational materials. and Rep. Morthland credits these resources as fundamental to creating a better vision for Illinois. In particular, the Institutes work on tax and budget policy provides clear direction for a state that desperately needs to stimulate job creation. Rep. Morthland appreciates the Institutes work on the budget as it reveals the real fiscal facts and cuts through the clutter. He argues the coming years will be crucial for creating a competitive environment for Illinois job creators. Rep. Morthland believes the Institute will help lead the charge toward putting Illinois on sustainable fiscal footing. 6
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative (above) and courtesy of Rich Morthland (bottom right).

People changing policy

striding forward
Immediately after passage of the tax hike, the Illinois Policy Institute launched a campaign for repeal. Repeal the Tax Hike is a coalition project sponsored by 15 groups representing Illinois businesses and taxpayers. More than 10,000 people have signed an online petition at repealthetaxhike.com, and they receive regular updates to keep the pressure on for real change. In the days leading up to the final tax hike vote, legislative leaders promised to limit future spending. They claimed Illinois creditworthiness was at risk without new revenue. In the months that followed, the Illinois Policy Institute proved these claims false.

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

In March, the Institute released its third annual alternative budget, Budget Solutions 2012. This signature product showed lawmakers it is possible for Illinois to repair its budget without the January 2011 tax hike, without borrowing and while making the pension payment.
posal include details of offsetting spending reductions. Ultimately, the General Assembly passed and the governor signed a budget that increased spending over 2011 levels by 2 percent, and used an accounting gimmick to push off more than $1 billion in bills to the following fiscal year. While the decision-makers behind the budget tried to position themselves as fiscal conservatives, they continued their tax-and-spend habits. The Institute didnt let them get away with that. In June the Illinois Policy Institute published Budget FAIL, a detailed critique of the fiscal year 2012 budget highlighting how promises of fiscal austerity were not being kept. It exposed the accounting gimmicks that created an illusion of reductions in state spending, and it demonstrated the long-term fiscal consequences of inaction on pension reform. The report gained statewide attention and foreshadowed concerns that ultimately were cited by Moodys Corp. in its winter downgrade of Illinois bond rating. The Institutes message that Illinois must reverse course are resonating with the public. A year-end poll conducted by Pulse Opinion Research showed that 65 percent of voters lack confidence that the tax hike revenues have been put to good use and 85 percent believe the 2011 tax hike should either expire or immediately be repealed. makers discussed a tax relief package for a select few companies that were threatening to leave the state. Upon hearing about the deal, William McGurn of The Wall Street Journal penned a commentary explaining why lawmakers shouldnt raise taxes on everyone, then hand out tax breaks for a select few. McGurn wrote: New York gave us banks too big to fail. Washington bequeathed us Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Still, when it comes to crony capitalism, no one quite matches Chicago. McGurns piece detailed why it is bad public policy for lawmakers to raise taxes on everyone, and then hand out tax breaks for a select few. To build his case, McGurn teased an Illinois Policy Institute report about the number of taxpayers who have fled to other states with lower taxes and more efficient government. Hitt, the Institutes senior director of government affairs, decried the proposed selective tax breaks deal described in McGurns piece. Our Chicago machine has come up with a deal so rotten its uniting Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, Hitt said. If Illinois Republicans dont use this opportunity to find their voice on tax cuts, they never will. The Institute will continue its work on budget reform into 2012. The fight to reform spending will last many years in Illinois. The key is to keep showing the way forward to those who naturally agree with us, as well as to convince the persuadable middle that a libertybased approach offers the best way to change lives for the better.
7

Budget SolutionS 2012


In March, the Institute released its third annual alternative budget, Budget Solutions 2012. This signature product showed lawmakers it is possible for Illinois to repair its budget without the January 2011 tax hike, without borrowing and while making the pension payment. The report also demonstrated that, if Institute recommendations from previous years had been adopted, calls for a tax hike could have been avoided. The Institutes marketing and communications team went to work to promote Budget Solutions 2012 with John Tillman and Collin Hitt making numerous news media appearances, including: FOX Chicago News, WTTWs Chicago Tonight, Varney & Co. on FOX Business, WTAX-AM 1240 in Springfield, Univision Chicago and CNNMoney.com. Many of the Institutes recommendations were cited in an alternative budget framework published by the Illinois Senate Republicans. Additionally, many pieces of legislation were introduced based on Institute proposals including a hard cap on spending, a requirement that all legislation receive a price tag with fiscal note reform, and a PAYGO mandate that any legislative spending pro-

crony capiTalism, chicaGo-sTyle


During the fall legislative session, law-

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

reform
n 2011, the Illinois Policy Institute changed the way politicians, the news media and policy makers understand the pension crisis in Illinois. The Institute transitioned the discussion on pensions from the fiscal dangers of an underfunded pension system to the crisis effect on the governments core programs, and by extension, peoples lives. This transition was necessary to reinvigorate a pension reform movement that, while showing promise in mid 2011, failed to materialize. Optimism had built that Senate Bill 512, co-sponsored by Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, finally would get traction. The Institute played a major role in advocating for reform through its legislative, grassroots and policy work in an attempt to support the legislation. In fact, pressures for reform reached the point that even House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, signed on as co-sponsor of the reform bill.

Pension

Impact

The Institute makes the moral case for pension reform in Illinois.

Through its policy work and news media appearances, the Institute reframed the pension crisis in a way that changed the language of reform, not just by those in favor, but also by those opposed. This research particularly has been effective in informing those opposed to reform that pensions are hurting the very programs they avidly support.

Guest Column: Pension reform matters to all


By Kristina Rasmussen | May 28, 2011 If youre not a teacher or government worker hoping to cash in on a pension when you retire, you may be wondering why pension reform matters to you. Try this on for size: The rising costs of government pensions will cost you one weeks paycheck this year. How? In January, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a 67 percent income tax hike into law. While it was sold as necessary to pay down the states operating debt, the comptroller is now reporting that Illinois debt backlog at the end of the year will be around $8 billion about the same amount as before the tax hike. Why? Most of the extra money is going to making the states growing pension payment. The average Illinois household was set to spend $10,988 in state and local taxes this year, but the average state tax bill will climb by an extra $1,594, thanks to Gov. Quinns tax increase. This increase is nearly equal to what an average Illinois household spends annually on clothing.

chanGinG The deBaTe


During 2011, the Institutes team appeared in numerous news media outlets to discuss pension reform including the Chicago Sun-Times, Crains Chicago Business, WGN Radio, WLS Radio, National Review Online, Rockford Register Star, Northwest Herald and FOX Chicago.
8

Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Through its policy work and news media appearances, the Institute reframed the pension crisis in a way that changed the language of reform, not just by those in favor, but also by those opposed. The change began when the Institute released its report titled, Teacher retirement costs exceed general state aid to schools. The report highlighted that teachers retirement costs in 2011 exceeded the amount of money the state actually spent on the classrooms themselves. The crisis was crowding out spending for education, prioritizing well-to-do retirees over the future of Illinois and its children. The focus on K-12 children was followed up by a report on Illinois public universities and colleges, titled College retirees vs. colleges. That report similarly highlighted that state costs of university employee retirements in 2012 would exceed the states actual appropriations to all other facets of higher education. Clearly, pensions were more than a problem of meeting the states future obligations, they now were hurting todays students and Illinois future workforce. This research particularly has been effective in informing those opposed to reform that pensions are hurting the very programs they avidly support. By maintaining opposition to pension reform, they are inflicting harm to programs such as education and the people they serve.

Teacher retirement costs exceed general state aid to schools highlighted that teachers retirement costs in 2011 exceeded the amount of money the state actually spent on the classrooms themselves. The crisis was crowding out spending for education, prioritizing well-to-do retirees over the future of Illinois and its children. College retirees vs. colleges highlighted that state costs of university employee retirements in 2012 would exceed the states actual appropriations to all other facets of higher education.

Pension reform: The

research

In Teachers pensions: Whos really paying?, the Institute researched thousands of teacher contracts to determine just who pays the teachers legally required contribution to the pension system. The Institutes findings showed that when it comes to public school teachers, paying their fair share were not the norm. In fact, in almost two-thirds of districts across the state, teachers dont contribute the full employee share toward their pensions.
Institutes findings showed that when it comes to public school teachers, paying their fair share were not the norm. In almost two-thirds of districts across the state, teachers dont contribute the full employee share toward their pensions. In fact, most of these districts dont require their teachers to contribute anything toward their retirement. Instead, the contributions are paid for or picked up by school districts, and by extension, local taxpayers. During the 2009-10 school year alone, this littleknown perk cost taxpayers more than $430 million. Illinois Statehouse News featured the findings of this report in a story published in newspapers across the state including The (Kankakee) Daily Journal, Jacksonville Journal-Courier and The (Bloomington) Pantagraph. The report also was the subject of stories on two of Springfields top TV stations: WCIA-3 and WICS-20. Education experts with the Institute hit the airwaves, discussing the report on WTAX-AM in Springfield and Connect-FM in Champaign. The DeKalb Daily Chronicle in north central Illinois also prominently featured the report in a four-day series on public employee pensions. Both sides of the aisle now are critically aware that pensions are crowding out spending for the states core programs. With both sides now talking reform in substantive policy terms, the opportunity for reform is real.
9

Whos really payinG?


The Institute also reframed the pension debate by dispelling false union claims that teachers always paid their fair share into the pension systems. In Teachers pensions: Whos really paying?, the Institute researched thousands of teacher contracts to determine just who pays the teachers legally required contribution to the pension system. The

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Educational

choice

Impact

n 2011, school choice in Illinois was expanded. Out-of-date teacher hiring rules were rewritten. And new uses of educational technology are spreading. Illinois families are eager for a better public education system, and the Institute is proud to have played a major role in the passage of each of the above reforms. While there still is much work to be done, the educational reform successes of 2011 prove that change is possible a welcome reminder to the families and reformers who work every day for a better Illinois school system.

The educational reform successes of 2011 prove that change is possible.


The difference between Chicagos lowest and highest performance high schools can mean the difference between college and the unemployment line for thousands of students. The Illinois Policy Institute long has championed the work of Illinois charter schools. A longstanding Institute priority has been to change a state law that historically stymied the creation of charter schools in communities outside of Chicago. That effort was successful in 2011. In July 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law to create the new Illinois Charter School Commission. Previously, opponents to school choice simply could pressure local school districts to deny any proposal to open a charter school, regardless of merit. Thats no longer the case. This new commission is aimed at ensuring high-quality charter schools can open anywhere in Illinois. Because of this new law, charter schools will be able to open across Illinois. For the first time, many families will have new choices for where to send their children to school.

performance counTs
In late 2010, an effort was launched in Illinois to change several state restrictions on school districts. The effort broadly became known as the Performance Counts Agenda, which had three main goals: to reform teacher tenure laws, to end unfair union control of contract negotiations, and to limit the ability of Chicago teachers to strike and shut down city schools. Together with Stand for Children and the Illinois Business Roundtable, the Institute worked to advance this effort. The Institute provided continuous

charTer school commission


For more than a decade, charter schools have played an irreplaceable part in the fight to remake our education system, especially in Chicago. Parents demand choices for where their children go to school. Charter schools exist to provide those choices. Theyre open to anyone who applies, with final enrollment decided by lottery. A September 2011 Institute report, Charter high schools deliver, showed that nine Chicago charter schools rank in the top 10 open-enrollment high schools in the city. This is an especially remarkable fact considering that only 2 of every 10 public schools in Chicago are a charter school. But these numbers show how positive public policies can change lives.
10

A September 2011 Institute report, Charter high schools deliver, showed that nine Chicago charter schools rank in the top 10 open-enrollment high schools in the city. This is an especially remarkable fact considering that only 2 of every 10 public schools in Chicago are a charter school. But these numbers show how positive public policies can change lives.
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

written support of the legislation in newspapers and via routine channels to supporters. Institute experts provided testimony before special committees in the House and Senate. Other coalition partners did the same. Editorial endorsements followed from the states leading newspapers. Ultimately legislative leaders agreed to negotiate the matter, and eventually the Performance Counts Act was passed and signed into law. Illinois now is one of only a half-dozen states, including Wisconsin and Indiana, to seriously revisit teacher tenure laws. The new law eliminates automatic lifetime tenure for teachers. Any teacher who receives failing marks on data-driven evaluation plans ultimately can be replaced. The law ended the rule of last

If schools incorporate Internet-driven courseware into each school day, students will benefit. Thats why for years the Institute has promoted online learning as a key tenant of school reform. In October, the Institute published New technology for old problems, which outlined the 10 elements of high-quality digital learning.
in, first out, which often required good young teachers to be fired simply so that schools would retain older teachers, irrespective of job performance. This new flexibility will give school districts needed tools to quickly improve the quality and efficiency of the workforce. It is one of many steps needed in the fight for reform in Illinois schools.

online learninG
Online learning technology has the ability to transform education for many students. If schools incorporate Internet-driven courseware into each school day, students will benefit. Thats why for years the Institute has promoted online learning as a key tenant of school reform. In October, the Institute published New technology for old problems, which outlined the 10 elements of high-quality digital learning. With online learning, a longer, expanded school day becomes viable. Small schools could offer a full complement of foreign language and advanced placement courses. Students of all ability levels could use lessons to learn at their own pace. To continue making the case for online learning to the public, the Institute invited former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise to keynote a December luncheon about this important reform. Wise now leads the Alliance for Excellent Education and co-chaired the national Digital Learning Council, a nationwide working group that included the Illinois Policy Institute. More than 70 people attended the Peoria-area luncheon, which also was covered by two of the citys local news channels and on Peoria talk radio. In 2012, the Institute will continue the push for Illinois to be a leader in technology-driven education reform.
11

People changing policy

Jeff Mays

President, Illinois Business Roundtable


The Illinois Business Roundtable president Jeff Mays has worked with Institute staff members for several years, advocating for education reform in Illinois. In 2011, the Institute partnered with the Round Table, Advance Illinois and Stand for Children to secure the passage of Senate Bill 7. He says that the Institute championed the cause of education reform from the very onset of the debate. The Institute testified before the House Education Committee, working to advance opportunities for children across the state. The various groups testifying at the hearing showed the great breadth of knowledge and collaboration to put this legislation in motion. Even though the process to pass the bill was long and arduous, Mays says that the Institute serves as a great advocate for reform by supporting the issue, monitoring negotiations and channeling the appropriate information to sustain the debate among legislators and the public. Mays believes that the single biggest issue confronting education this year is Illinois underfunded pension obligations, which are crowding out the financial support of classroom operations and instruction for the foreseeable future. He looks to work with the Institute in 2012 to forward solutions that reform Illinois pension system while securing high-quality education for its students. Although Mays doesnt agree with the Institute on every issue, he looks to the Institute for the quality information and analysis that moves the discussion forward and makes a brighter future for Illinois possible.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Health care

reform

Impact

The Institute fights ObamaCare and helps deliver real choices for Illinois patients.
fiGhTinG oBamacare
The Institute spent much of the year pushing back against ObamaCare and its negative effect on Illinois Medicaid program. Its regulations, costs and enrollment expansion will damage care for the very people it is intended to protect: the poor and disadvantaged. By highlighting these problems, the Institute is building the case for reform. All of the Institutes health care work strives to show lawmakers and other decision-makers that there is another way. Instead of overloading a failing Medicaid program with millions of new enrollees, the state must redesign the program from the ground up, ensuring that it meets the needs of Illinois population and protects the most vulnerable. The Institutes work explains why the state needs to implement these reforms now, before the harsh effects of ObamaCare take root. When the state released a report projecting that ObamaCares massive expansion of Medicaid only would cost Illinois taxpayers $225 million in 2014, the Institute quickly responded in a report titled, Overloaded: One in three Illinoisans on Medicaid by 2019? The report detailed just how unrealistic the states assumptions were. Estimates based upon observed trends in enrollment and expenditures put the true cost at $1.4 billion in the first year alone. The state used its same assumptions to conclude that ObamaCares expansion would add fewer than 300,000 people to the Medicaid rolls. The Institute challenged those estimates as well; it highlighted that ObamaCare likely will add 1.5 million new people to Medicaid in just the first few years. The Institute emphasized that ObamaCare overloads an already-broken Medicaid system, trap-

Rep. Patti Bellock


Illinois State House 47th District
State Rep. Patti Bellock, a Republican from Hinsdale, calls the Illinois Policy Institute a terrific partner in the fight for health care reform. In the spring, the Institute partnered with the Heritage Foundation to host a Springfield luncheon on medical malpractice reform called, Fixing Health Care: Why Medical Malpractice Reform is Essential for Illinois. This event inspired Rep. Bellock to participate in a panel discussion on health care reform at the Institutes policy boot camp that fall. The connections she made at the Institutes event made a lasting impression, Along with the educational resources and access to experts, Rep. Bellock appreciates the Institutes effort to advance legislative health care reform in the state. In 2012, she is optimistic the Institute will play a pivotal role in monitoring the implementation of last years incremental steps toward Medicaid reform and continue the fight to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. 12
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

People changing policy

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

ping 1 of 3 Illinoisans into government dependency and worsening care for the poor and disadvantaged. ObamaCare is more of the same old government knows best mindset. But this mindset has failed. It has failed the taxpayers and it has failed the poor. The Institute is leading the way in providing real solutions that empower the poor to make healthy, cost conscious decisions. These solutions bring taxpayers and the poor together as partners, not opponents.

When the state released a report projecting that ObamaCares massive expansion of Medicaid only would cost Illinois taxpayers $225 million in 2014, the Institute quickly responded in a report titled, Overloaded: One in three Illinoisans on Medicaid by 2019? The review detailed just how unrealistic the states assumptions were. Estimates based upon observed trends in enrollment and expenditures put the true cost at $1.4 billion in the first year alone.
makers created a study committee with the intent to create an exchange for Illinois. The Institute set to convince legislators that there were real alternatives to the ObamaCare exchanges and that the state should not be complicit in setting up an exchange over which it will have no control and which ultimately will hurt consumers. Fortunately, the bill implementing a state exchange failed to make it out of committee. enroll in these popular, effective plans, gaining more control over their health care. Even better, taxpayers will see substantial savings for those selecting these new plans. However, the Obama administration has adopted new rules that could limit the availability and affordability of high deductible health plans. In order to protect consumer choice and individual freedoms, the Institute responded by filing an official comment with the administrations Health and Human Services Department. Knowing that these popular and effective plans hold the key to the savings state and household budgets so desperately need, the Institute urged the administration to revise the new rules to account for the unique factors that make these plans so effective and popular with consumers.

exposinG The medicaid


disasTer

At the close of the spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers falsely claimed they had cut state spending over 2011 levels and balanced the budget. As the Institutes Budget fail report explained, that simply wasnt the case. In a follow up to this report, the Institute released Medicaid fail, which highlighted the folly of pushing off bills to the following fiscal year, while zeroingin on how this budget mismanagement would affect health care in Illinois. As the report said, Medicaid costs will come due next year and when they do, Illinois will need at least $3.1 billion to keep from falling further into debt. By highlighting these gimmicks as they happened, the Institute ensured that lawmakers were held more accountable for runaway spending. The billions of unpaid bills only strengthen the case for serious reform by making clear that the status quo has failed.

healTh savinGs accounTs


The Institute built upon earlier research to highlight how the state could save money and give state employees access to popular health care options by offering high-deductible health plans paired with health savings accounts. The Institutes 2010 study became the basis for legislation enacted in July 2011. State workers in Illinois finally will be able to

Christie Herrera
Director, Health and Human Services Task Force, ALEC
Christie Herrera, director of the Health and Human Services Task force at the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, is thrilled to have seen the Illinois Policy Institute make such a splash in the health care reform debate. Herrera applauds the Institutes work to pass legislation, calling for health savings accounts for state employees, much as next-door Indiana does. Looking forward, Herrera expects the Institute will be instrumental in stopping implementation of ObamaCares health exchange. She argues its critical for Illinois to take up the fight because if implementation is stopped in Illinois, it could thwart the implementation of ObamaCare around the country. 13

People changing policy

sToppinG oBamacare
exchanGes

In fall 2011, the Institute held a policy boot camp for activists, candidates and legislators to cover, among other issues, the effect of the proposed health care exchanges required by ObamaCare. This event happened soon after Illinois law-

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Entrepreneurship

Impact

The Institute is making Illinois a destination state for entrepreneurs.


n 2011, the Illinois Policy Institute expanded its scholarship to include a serious focus on small businesses, entrepreneurship, commerce and jobs. Driving the expanded focus was the desire to make Illinois a destination state for business men and women. It became an Institute priority to help Illinois unleash residents entrepreneurial spirit. For many struggling Illinoisans, this would help create and grow jobs at home.

ary tax increases were imposed. While the governors press office tried to persuade news media that there was no relationship between the tax increase and the negative economic report, an eyepopping employment chart the Institute released in August was featured on the Drudge Report, one of the most read websites in the world. The Drudge hit brought more than 80,000 visitors to the Institutes website during a span of 24 hours. It also attracted attention from some of the nations most prominent business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Forbes.com and Investors Business Daily. FOX News host Sean Hannity also referred to the chart on his show, as part of a discussion about whether President Barack Obama could

win re-election if his government-centric policies were failing even in his home state of Illinois. It was clear that Illinois wasnt competing in terms of employment, so the Institutes next report on employment numbers sought to determine why. The investigation included directly talking with businesses, reviewing regulations, studying the effect of tax policy and producing policy products that shined a light on the experiences of entrepreneurs in Illinois. In one report, the Institutes entrepreneurship and commerce policy analyst visited Cal Lab Co. Inc. in South Holland to see firsthand what its like to operate a business in Illinois. Most of the staff members were former Illinoisans who moved to Indiana because of the higher quality of life. In fact, the company itself was considering moving to Indiana because of the better business climate. Taxes were driving them away. They keep raising taxes, said Jeff Hickman, Cal Labs general manager. What incentive is left to do businesses here?

drudGe reporT feaTures insTiTuTe JoBs analysis


Illinois was greeted with one negative employment report after another in 2011. The number of Illinoisans employed steadily decreased since the Janu-

The Drudge hit brought more than 80,000 visitors to the Institutes website during a span of 24 hours. It also attracted attention from some of the nations most prominent business publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Forbes.com and Investors Business Daily. FOX News host Sean Hannity also referred to the chart on his show.
14

online affiliaTe nexus laW


kills JoBs

In March 2011 Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that put many online entrepreneurs
Photos:Valkanet Photography (upper left) and Mark Campbell Creative (upper right).

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

out of business overnight. Dubbed the affiliate nexus law, this law forced dozens of remote retailers to end their business relationships with Illinois-based marketing affiliate businesses. Institute team members Emily Dietrich and Daniel Anthony traveled to Rock Island to speak with entrepreneurs whose businesses were hurt by this law. As a result, the Institute developed a short video that spotlighted two entrepreneurs in Illinois who lost a large source of income. To help put these Illinoisans back to work, the Illinois Policy Institute launched a campaign to repeal the affiliate nexus law. In October, the Institute hosted a news conference with Rep. Dave Winters, a Rockford Republican, and Brian Littleton, president and CEO of

marketing affiliate business ShareASale. While the Institutes Kristina Rasmussen discussed why the online affiliate nexus law was bad public policy, Littleton gave a firsthand account of how these laws hurt small businesses. Winters used the news media event to introduce House Bill 3869, which would suspend the affiliate nexus law that chased away an affiliate marketer from his district across the border to Wisconsin. The story was picked up by Tax Notes, two Rockford TV affiliates, two Springfield news affiliates and Illinois Public Radio.

the questions: How can Illinois improve? What public policies need to be put into place to make the state one of opportunity and prosperity? The report Still leaving Illinois: An exodus of people and money explored this very question. The report uncovered that once again, taxes especially estate taxes are pushing residents out of the state. As economist and author J. Scott Moody summarized: Unfortunately, the analysis shows that Illinois is hemorrhaging people, and their incomes, to just about every other state in the country. In particular, policymakers should look to emulate policies in Florida and Texas, which have successfully lured away many Illinois residents.

miGraTion reporT shoWs


people are leavinG

Behind all of the Institutes work are

People changing policy

Sen. Kyle McCarter


Illinois State Senate 51st District
State Sen. Kyle McCarter, a Republican from Lebanon, believes that it will take a concerted effort by the Institute, likeminded legislators, the business community and the public to advance the reforms needed to put Illinois back to work. He has looked to the Institute to speak out about the issues that are most critical to todays workers, such as worker compensation reform, unemployment insurance reform, responsible budgeting and repealing the tax increase. Sen. McCarter applauds the Institutes depth of research on entrepreneurship issues. Particularly, he used the Institutes report Still leaving Illinois: An exodus of people and money to make the case for immediate policy reform. Also, he was encouraged by Institutes Repeal the Tax Hike campaign that broke down how much the tax hike was costing the average family in terms of lost grocery money. Looking forward to 2012, Sen. McCarter wants to work with the Institute to advance substantive, meaningful reforms of workers compensation.
Photo: Illinois Policy Institute.

15

years of advancing

libert y in

2002

10
2004

i llinois

Illinois Policy Institute founded

2006
Offered a voucher-based alternative to Gov. Rod Blagojevichs Preschool for All initiative Promoted digital learning for rural Illinois schools Called on Illinois conservatives to unite behind a No Tax Hike pledge

Exposed the Obama Myth in The American Spectator after the 2004 Democratic National Convention speech, explaining how his patina of moderation in style and substance was too good to be true

2003
Fought plans to swap higher income and sales taxes for paltry property-tax relief

2005
Opposed tax increases disguised as education spending reform Published the first Illinois Piglet Book focused on exposing waste in state government, otherwise known as the book Springfield doesnt want you to read Spoke out against All Kids high cost, market distortions and poor care outcomes

2007
Stopped HB 750, which would have increased taxes without guaranteeing improvements in educational achievement Fought and defeated Blagojevichs gross receipts tax and Illinois Covered government health care plan Protected the ability of Chicagos charter schools to expand into new campuses Provided accountability on the CTA bailout by demonstrating how the real financial culprit was declining productivity, and not a lack of revenues Founded the Liberty Leaders program for training and activating residents to put free market ideas into practice at all levels of government

2010 2008
Authored the Illinois Liberty Agenda, a comprehensive plan to bring jobs, prosperity and commerce back to Illinois Released a school choice poll that found, if given the option, 4 out of 5 Illinoisans would choose a school other than a traditional public school for their children Published the second Illinois Piglet Book, highlighting more than $686 million in wasteful spending Joined legislators in calling for suspension of the state sales tax on gasoline Called for the elimination of the Health Facilities Planning Board as a barrier to care Launched the Illinois Transparency Pledge, with 20-plus candidates pledging to support greater transparency at all levels of government Defeated Quinns attempt to increase Illinois income taxes Published third Illinois Piglet Book highlighting more than $350 million in wasteful spending Introduced a line-by-line alternative budget, Budget Solutions 2011, that balanced the budget without tax increases Introduced the Pension Funding and Fairness Act to protect taxpayers and public pensioners with a sensible spending cap Passed vouchers out of the Senate and reinvigorated a wider conversation about school choice Made vital improvements to the Open Meetings Act and prevented officials from withholding public information Published the 2010 Legislators Guide to the Issues, a comprehensive guidebook to Illinois most pressing policy challenges Informed voters how legislators voted on free market issues with the new Illinois General Assembly Vote Card Liberty Leaders program exceeds 1,000 volunteers Hit the road with the Illinois Turnaround Tour, covering 8,000 miles and 130 cities in 78 days and asking legislators to get on board with sound policy solutions Support passes $1.7 million; donors exceed 1,100

2009
CEO John Tillman debated Gov. Pat Quinn on FOX Chicago over how to best solve Illinois budget troubles Defeated Quinns plan to increase income taxes by 50 percent Increased the statewide cap on charter schools Defeated plans to provide taxpayer money for political campaigns Introduced the Economic Reform Agenda of common-sense budget reforms with the House Republican Caucus Helped pass legislation creating the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal in order to shine light on state spending and labor costs Changed the fiscal reform narrative with Budget Solutions 2010, the inaugural liberty-inspired alternative budget Launched a series examining best practices in local government management Support passes $1.5 million; donors exceed 675

2011
Fought a lame-duck income tax hike and stopped a fake spending limit from being used to leverage votes for revenue increases Led the Repeal the Tax Hike campaign; more than 10,000 Illinoisans signed a repeal petition, and 80 candidates pledged to repeal the tax hike Blew the whistle on a state budget that hid spending and grew outlays Made the moral case for public pension benefit reforms Passed legislation that created a new authorizing agency for charter schools Joined a successful coalition effort to reform teacher tenure, hiring rules and collective bargaining Protected the integrity of the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal and restored historical salary information to the site Passed the Tax Transparency Act to make Illinois a national leader in local tax burden transparency Researched and wrote more than a dozen separate pieces of legislation and offered analysis/testimony on more than 40 pieces of legislation Audited the transparency practices of more than 50 local government entities with the Local Government Transparency Project Hosted eight Adopt-A-District Trainings attended by more than 320 enthused citizens Launched the Liberty Justice Center, a litigation center focused on protecting free markets and individual freedom Media appearances exceed 800 Support passes $2.8 million; donors exceed 1,370

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

accountability

Government

Impact

The Institute leads the charge for more open and transparent government.
uring the past five years, the Institute has led the charge for Illinois to have more open and transparent government. Openness and transparency are vital to restoring the reputation of government in Illinois; its how the state will shed a historic narrative fraught with corruption and mismanagement. And only with transparency can citizens hold their elected officials accountable when it comes to spending and other key decisions. The Institute scored several victories for government transparency in 2011. Local taxes rates now easily can be compared via a central state database. Local government agencies are putting more key public documents online. And a

threat to state transparency was defeated because of an Institute investigation.

Tax Transparency
Illinois has more than 5,000 units of local government. Almost all levy taxes. All told, the tax rates can vary widely between communities. Yet, until 2011, a prospective business or homeowner readily could not compare local tax burdens. Because of legislation advanced by the Institute, that soon will change. State Sen. Susan Garrett, a Democrat from Lake Forest, introduced the Tax Transparency Act, co-authored by the Illinois Policy Institute. The legislation

requires the state Department of Revenue maintain a database containing all known information on local government tax rates in Illinois. Moreover, all raw local tax data used to build the website will be available online for free download, which will allow intrepid taxpayers or businesses to build their own searchable websites. The challenges with local tax transparency are not unique to Illinois. Homebuyers and businesses across the country often face the same frustration when trying to compare tax rates from place to place. The passage of the Tax Transparency Act makes Illinois a national leader in local tax transparency.

Sen. Susan Garrett


Illinois State Senate 29th District
State Sen. Susan Garrett, a Democrat representing Lake Forest, says the Illinois Policy Institute has been instrumental in advocating for tax transparency in the state. Working together in 2011 to pass the Illinois Taxation Disclosure Act, Sen. Garrett and the Illinois Policy Institute made tax information more accessible to citizens across the state. Sen. Garrett credits the Institutes ability to effectively gather the necessary support for the legislation as key to the reforms success. Even more, Sen. Garrett believes the Institute always has been a consistent voice for transparency reform, working to ensure that government at every level is held accountable to the taxpayers. By working with the Institute, Sen. Garrett believes that real progress has been made increasing transparency and accountability in Illinois. She says it is a great beginning and looks forward to continuing collaborative efforts to educate taxpayers, including informing residents what resources are available to them and teaching them how to use those resources to gain access to public information. 18
Photos on this page: Mark Campbell Creative. Photos from timeline on previous pages: Valkanet Photography (bottom left) and Illinois Policy Institute (all others). Photo on next page: courtesy of Joe LaMargo.

People changing policy

striding forward
People changing policy

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Joe LaMargo

Deputy village clerk, village of Orland Park


Joe LaMargo, deputy village clerk for the village of Orland Park and elected board member at Orland School District 135, was instrumental in advancing local government transparency in 2011. In August, Orland Park became the first government entity to score 100 percent on the Illinois Policy Institutes 10-Point Transparency Checklist. As deputy village clerk, LaMargo was tasked by village leadership to make their website the first in Illinois to achieve a perfect score. LaMargo also helped the Orland School District 135 board adopt one of the most aggressive school district transparency policies in the state. The school district improved their website and achieved an A grade from the Institutes local transparency project. LaMargos leadership on transparency has been noticed by others throughout the area. Hes been invited to speak to various groups on the issue of transparency, including the South and Southwest Suburban Municipal Clerks Association and a number of local League of Women Voters groups.

local GovernmenT
Transparency

Beyond local tax rates, there are other vital pieces of local government information that often are difficult for taxpayers to find. In 2010, the Illinois Policy Institute developed a 10-Point Transparency Checklist and launched the Local Government
The 10-Point Transparency Checklist for local governments
Elected&Administrative Officials: Contact Information MeetingInformation: Calendar (Future) Minutes & Board Packets (Past) Publicrecords: FOIA submission & FOIA Officer Contact Information Budgets: General Fund and Special Projects FinancialAudits:Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports Expenditures: Checkbook Register and Credit Card Receipts Salary&Benefits: Wages, Salary, Overtime, Health, Dental, Life, Pension, etc. Contracts: Union, Private Contractors, Vendors Lobbying: TaxpayerFunded Lobbying Associations Taxes&Fees: Sales, Property, Income, and Miscellaneous Taxes, fees on residents & businesses

Transparency Project. The checklist contains key government documents meeting minutes, check registries and trustee contact information, for example and notes whether this information is available online. The scope of the Local Government Transparency Project reached new heights in 2011. Institute staff members graded more than 50 local government agencies across the state. On a 100-point scale, the average score was a dismal 42 points. The average score shows the need for greater local government transparency, but it also masks the improvement that many governments made to their websites after being notified of their preliminary scores. While the average statewide score needs improvement, many government entities used the project as an opportunity to make significant strides forward. In August 2011, the village of Orland Park became the first government entity to score 100 percent on the Institutes 10-Point Transparency Checklist. The Institute closely worked with Orland Park Deputy Clerk Joe LaMargo and other village officials to achieve this perfect score. The 10-Point Transparency Checklist provided much-needed guidance on what type of information such as budgets, financial reports, expenditures and public employee salaries

belong online. The mantra in Orland Park became: Its the publics information. If we have it, we should share it.

defendinG The Transparency


porTal

A key achievement on the transparency front several years ago was the establishment of the Illinois Accountability and Transparency Portal. Key information on state government spending began appearing online in 2009. But in 2011, Institute researchers discovered a problem. As documented in the Institutes report Now you see it, now you dont, the state was removing past salary data from its designated transparency website without explanation. The Institute demanded that information immediately be restored to the website, and the call to action was featured in more than 20 news reports across the state. Additionally, the report received editorial endorsements in the DeKalb Daily Chronicle and the Sauk Valley News as well as a broadcast segment on WCIA, the CBS-affiliate for central Illinois. It also was viewed more than 600 times on the Institutes website. Within one week of the reports release, all the past information had been returned to the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal. Now that information from 2008-09 has been added
19

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

to the transparency portal, citizens easily can see how salaries are changing over time. For example, the portal shows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity saw its payroll rise to $31.5 million in 2010 from $26.8 million in 2008. Armed with this information, taxpayer watchdogs can begin to ask why one departments payroll increased by 17.5 percent in only two years. To keep the omission of public information from happening again, the Institute is working with state Rep. Mike Tryon, a Republican from Crystal Lake, to craft legislation that will require state government keep historical information available at the portal. The legislation will be pursued in 2012. One of transparencys most important benefits comes from viewing historical data so you can see changes over time, Tryon said. To see where youre going, you need to know where youve been.

We identified the problem...

State employee salaries for calendar year 2008 and 2009 have been removed from [accountability.illinois.gov].
Now you see it, now you dont, Nov. 16, 2011

We drew attention to the issue...

Illinois has been removing information about how much state employees were paid in past years while past departmental spending has remained online, according to the policy institutes report.
Transparency portal no longer has state workers 2008-09 pay, Nov. 17, 2011

We helped produce real results.

Past annual salaries of state employees will be going back on the states searchable database, after a watchdog group and the Northwest Herald pointed out their absence.
State to put past salary data back online, Nov. 29, 2011

Liberty Justice

Center

n 2011 the Illinois Policy Institute launched the Liberty Justice Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-interest litigation center that fights to protect economic liberty, private property rights, free speech and other fundamental rights in Illinois and beyond. First and foremost, the Liberty Justice Center seeks to ensure that the rights to earn a living and start a business, which are essential to a free and prosperous society, are available not just to a politically privileged few, but to all. The Liberty Justice Center pursues its goals through strategic, precedent-setting litigation to
20

In 2011, the Institute launched a nonprofit, nonpartisan public-interest litigation center.


revitalize constitutional restraints on government power and protections for individual rights. The Liberty Justice Center is a project of the Illinois Policy Institute and it supports the Institutes vision to make Illinois first in economic outlook and job creation and become a free enterprise leader for the rest of America. The Liberty Justice Center is staffed by two lawyers with extensive experience in defending businesses and economic liberty. Associate counsel Jacob Huebert is a former clerk to a U.S. Court of Appeals judge and an experienced appellate

lawyer. He has taught law school courses includL J C ing advanced appellate advocacy, and he is the author of Libertarianism Today. Associate counsel Peter White is a former clerk for Cook County Circuit Judge John Ward. He is an experienced civil litigator and brings private sector business experience to the team. The Liberty Justice Center is here and ready to help. Learn more about the Liberty Justice Center by visiting www.libertyjusticecenter.org.
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

LC J

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

outreach
practical ways to restore accountability and transLIBERTY parency to local governLEADERS ONLINE ment. Liberty Leaders are organizing around the issues that are important to them, such as budgeting, transparency and education reform, and they are making a difference. To date, there are 1,076

Grassroots

The Institute is identifying, training and activating Illinois citizen leaders.


s part of the holistic approach to make Illinois first in economic outlook and job creation, and to become a free enterprise leader for the rest of America, the Illinois Policy Institute shows the way forward with two key grassroots outreach activities: the Liberty Leaders Program and the Adopt-ADistrict program.

liBerTy leaders
Founded in 2007, the Liberty Leaders program identifies and works with citizen activists around the state who are committed to protecting and promoting liberty in Illinois. Liberty Leaders participate in local board meetings, write letters to the editor, call their elected officials, and teach their communities about

People changing policy

Chris Jenner
Liberty Leader

Liberty Leader Chris Jenner is an elected member of the Cary School District 26 board and co-founder of the Independent School Board Members of Illinois, or ISBM-IL. This year, Cary School District 26 made headlines when district officials implemented major spending cuts to help solve deep financial problems. The State Board of Education previously ranked District 26 the third-worst in the state in terms of financial health, but through the leadership of Jenner and other school board members, the district has been able to implement austerity measures. The most recent contract negotiations with the teachers association resulted in the right sizing of salaries for teachers and administrators. Beyond putting children first at District 26, Jenner also is using his experience as a school board member to help other board members through the ISBM-IL. Jenner, who regularly attends Illinois Policy Institute events and uses the Institutes policy research, encourages people concerned about K-12 education to get involved through the ISBM-IL group. People should be able to get involved and not feel as if they are going it alone, he said. ISBM-IL is comprised of about 40 members, including many current and former school board members, candidates for office and local activists from across Illinois. Pictured: Chris Jenner with his wife, Laurie.
Photos: Illinois Policy Institute.

21

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Liberty Leaders. In 2011 Liberty Leaders wrote 205 letters to the editor and 10 Liberty Leaders were elected or re-elected to local office.

Ill in

olicy In sP s oi

te tu ti

ONLINE
d
A

op

t a dist r

adopT-a-disTricT
To govern properly and effectively, elected officials need pressure from citizens and taxpayers. But navigating the political waters can be difficult, especially if lawmakers do not see eye-to-eye on policy. To help citizens learn how they can reach their local political leaders and make their voice heard, in 2011 the Illinois Policy Institute launched the Adopt-A-District grassroots training program. At eight training sessions held across the state, the Institute taught more than 320 enthusiastic participants practical skills on how to make a difference in their legislative district. At the training sessions, the Institute presents a primer on the legislative process in Illinois. During the hands-on component, participants learn how to develop positive relationships with the news media, how to get their ideas down onto paper in the form of letters to the editor and how to conduct a meeting with their legislators. The half-day events are interactive and fast-paced. For all of the activities, the group usually focuses on a single issue, such as repealing the tax hike or pension reform. This ensures it is as practical as possible. More than 100 activists attended the training in DuPage, and during the working dinner, one participant said that he would try writing a letter to the editor instead of sending harsh emails to the newspaper reporters accusing them of liberal bias (which more often than not went unanswered).

At eight Adopt-A-District training sessions held across the state, the Institute taught more than 320 enthusiastic participants practical skills on how to make a difference in their legislative district.
People changing policy

Claire Van Horn


Founder, DuPage County Tea Party
Claire Van Horn, founder of the DuPage County Tea Party invited the Institute to host an Adopt-A-District training event with her group. After the training she said, We are very serious about wanting to be effective and efficient. We have much to learn. The Adopt-A-District event was truly a move in the right direction. People came away from the meeting feeling that they had gotten something real and tangible to use. That is what I have been wanting for the group.

Rick Newton
Co-organizer, Tri-Count-Teas
The Tri-Count-Teas, a tea party group that regularly meets in Bartlett,was among the early participants in the Institutes Adopt-A-District training program. Rick Newton, a leader in the Tri-Count-Teas, said the grassroots activist training helped activate local leaders. Many of our group members have already met with our state legislators either in Springfield or in their district offices, said Newton, who is one of the Institutes 141 legislative district liaisons through the training program. We are looking to do that more often. Newton also said this about the program, We want to create educational opportunities for legislators, create awareness of the group, and be advocates for our positions of small/limited government, fiscal responsibility, constitutional adherence, free markets, personal responsibility and individual freedom. We value the Illinois Policy Institutes work and we look forward to doing so more in the future. Weve always found [its] research very valuable in educating our members and had various representatives of the Illinois Policy Institute come out and speak to our group many times in the past year. We can use this same information to educate the citizens and the elected officials that we adopt as well.

22

ic

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

communications

Marketing and

n 2011, the Illinois Policy Institute achieved excellent marketing and communications results through a holistic approach that includes an emphasis on growing its online footprint, traditional news media and grassroots footprint. Partners, allies and media outlets around the state and nation have turned to the Institute for expert opinion on

The Institute continues to shape the news and change the hearts and minds of the everyday citizen.
how public policy in Illinois will affect taxpayers lives. Through the year, the Institute conducted more than 20 unique marketing and communications campaigns and continued its emphasis on sharing its information to key online outlets and traditional news media outlets, including specialty outlets and Spanish speaking outlets. The Institute continues to shape the news and change the hearts and minds of the everyday citizen. The marketing and communications team at the Illinois Policy Institute is committed to helping supporters investments in libertyinspired public policy permeate public opinion.

video producTion for 2011 compared WiTh 2010:


2011 views: 16,757 2010 views: 4,828 Growth: 247 percent

earned neWs media for 2011 compared WiTh 2010:


2011 media appearances: 802 2010 news media appearances: 250 Growth: 220 percent

ToTal WeB Traffic for 2011 compared WiTh 2010:


2011 visits: 208,966 2010 visits: 117,592 Growth: 78 percent

Radio

appearances
- by medium -

neWs media

113 Television 162

Print 317

Other
Photos: Mark Campell Creative (upper left) and Illinois Policy Institute (upper right).

210

23

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Media spotlights from 2011


insTiTuTe sTeals union
Thunder in pay raise dispuTe

out of Sync: government and private employee compenSation in illinoiS

In July 2011, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union held pickets across the state to express outrage over not receiving their third pay increase of the year. Many picketers carried signs that read, Public servants deserve fair pay, trying to elicit sympathy from already stretched-thin taxpayers. The Institute promptly debunked the myth of the underpaid state worker in its report, Out of sync: Government and private employee compensation in Illinois. This report detailed how state workers receive about 23 percent more compensation than the average private-sector worker, a shocker that inspired this headline from the editorial board of The Southern Illinoisan: Fair Pay pickets not whole story. Similar editorials were published across the state. The reports findings have been featured in more than 30 news outlets across the state. Nationally, the Institutes Kristina Rasmussen was interviewed on the FOX Business show Americas Scoreboard about the pay raise dispute. Rasmussen also authored a guest editorial on the topic that was published in The Washington Times.

While the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union held pickets across the state to express outrage over not receiving their third pay increase of the year, the Illinois Policy Institute promptly debunked the myth of the underpaid state worker in its report, Out of sync: Government and private employee compensation in Illinois. The Institutes Kristina Rasmussen was interviewed on the FOX Business show Americas Scoreboard about the pay raise dispute.
agency in the state needs more money. And they all plan to get it from state taxpayers, Thomas said, as he narrated the story. Broadcast on the 6 p.m. news, the story featured Institute CEO John Tillman as well as several taxpayers fed up with their rising bills. More, more, more, more. When does it stop? one taxpayer said on the air. The Illinois Policy Institute ... 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 all the increases in taxes and assorted fees, reported Charles Thomas, ABC-7 Chicago.

nickel-and-diminG Taxpayers
In November, the Institute worked with longtime political reporter Charles Thomas of ABC-7 Chicago to highlight government entities nickel-and-diming taxpayers to avoid making tough budget decisions. Taxpayers in Illinois are getting hit with dozens of new fees and tax increases. The city of Chicago, Cook County, the state and almost every other taxing
24

nuevaS oportunidadeS
The Institute has increased its presence on one of Chicagos Spanish stations, Univision. The Spanish-speaking market in Illinois is hungry for school choice, tax relief and removing barriers to doing business in the U.S. Daniel Anthony and Ted Dabrowski, the Institutes bilingual team members, will continue to reach out to the Spanish-speaking audience.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

squeezed the hospitality industry.

fiGhTinG cook counTy Tax


hikes

Chicagoans already pay the highest spirits tax in the nation. In fact, taxes on spirits have been increased four times since 2005. But in November, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle piled on yet another job-killing tax increase on distilled spirits and tobacco. Industry analysts predict that these liquor taxes could cost as many as 270 jobs in Cook County, as higher costs

The new taxes were not widely publicized before going to a vote by the Cook County Board, so the Institute teamed up with Americans for Tax Reform to raise awareness of the more than 10 different excise taxes that would be increased by holding a news event at Butch McGuires on Chicagos North Side. Almost every major Chicago news media outlet attended the news conference, and the story of these job-killing tax increases dominated the news just before the taxes were voted on the following day.

insTiTuTe calculaTes The cosT of BlaGoJevich


Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was sentenced in December to 14 years in prison, but the real sentence is the one that taxpayers will serve many years after. As chronicled in the Institutes report, Blagojevich vs. Illinois taxpayers, Blagojevichs years in office were riddled with poor public policies that will cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars for years to come. The report was featured on Chuck Goudies I-Team report on ABC-7 Chicago and on a special report by FOX Chicago political editor Mike Flannery. It also was featured on Telemundo, Univision and WCIA-Springfield.

coSt of Blagojevich
As chronicled in the Institutes report, Blagojevich vs. Illinois taxpayers, Blagojevichs years in office were riddled with poor public policies that will cost Illinois taxpayers billions of dollars for years to come. The report was featured on Chuck Goudies I-Team report on ABC-7 Chicago and on a special report by FOX Chicago political editor Mike Flannery. It also was featured on Telemundo, Univision and WCIA-Springfield.

snoW squad

SNOW WATCH
For the second year in a row, the Illinois Policy Institute graded Chicago on how well city government removes snow and applies salt to the roads. The Institutes Snow Squad was quoted throughout the winter about how the city responded to storms and the now infamous blizzard. The verdict: Chicago does a good job on the main roads, but there is room for improvement on the side roads. The Institutes Daniel Anthony and Diana Rickert were quoted in an Associated Press report that was picked up around the country. Other news media appearances included: FOX Chicago, NBC-5 Chicago, Chicago Public Radio, WTTW-Chicago and Chicagos WGN radio.
25

nickel and diming taxpayerS


In November, the Institute worked with longtime political reporter Charles Thomas of ABC-7 Chicago to highlight government entities nickel-and-diming taxpayers to avoid making tough budget decisions. Taxpayers in Illinois are getting hit with dozens of new fees and tax increases. The city of Chicago, Cook County, the state and almost every other taxing agency in the state needs more money. And they all plan to get it from state taxpayers, Thomas said, as he narrated the story.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Events

Impact

Illinois Policy Institute events build awareness, foster discussion and encourage action toward the reforms Illinois desperately needs.
Jan. 5: capiTol day
One of the most important ways citizens can influence public policy is to directly talk with their lawmakers, so in January the Institute helped more than 80 Liberty Leaders book 180 face-toface meetings with legislators on Capitol Day. To make these meetings happen, the Institute chartered a bus that picked up Liberty Leaders in Downers Grove, Joliet and Bloomington-Normal before reaching the Statehouse. They were welcomed to the state capitol by state Sen. Chris Lauzen, who applauded their work to oppose the income tax hike and ask lawmakers to sign a pledge stating they would not vote for the bill during the lame duck session.

he Illinois Policy Institute event program is part of a greater effort to show the way forward to a better Illinois. By hosting events featuring a variety of important and timely speakers, the Institute aims to attract new audiences, expand its brand recognition and foster relationshipbuilding opportunities with like-minded individuals. In doing so, the Institute increases its influence. The following is a snapshot of the events hosted in 2011 to build awareness, foster discussion and encourage action toward the reforms Illinois desperately needs.

feB. 23: oBamacares $20


Billion

Jan. 5: Capitol day

With Illinois already on the brink of financial meltdown, the state cannot afford any more spending. But with ObamaCare, thats exactly whats in store. To spread the word and build the case for reining in spending, the Institute hosted Cato senior fellow Jagadeesh Gokhale for a policy breakfast in Springfield focusing on ObamaCares 10-year effect on Medicaid expenditures in Illinois. Gokhale, an entitlement reform expert, presented his alarming findings, sharp spending increases because of projected increases in Medicaid enrollment, to a group comprised of Illinois legislators and local activists.

march 10: fixinG healTh care Why medical


malpracTice reform is essenTial for illinois

Illinois already is struggling to keep up with neighboring states as a place that attracts businesses, families and taxpayers.
26
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative (above) and Illinois Policy Institute (Capitol day).

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Tort reform is one essential way to make Illinois a more competitive state. The Institute partnered with the Heritage Foundation to host a Springfield luncheon and panel discussion on medical malpractice reform in Illinois. The discussion was led by panelists Steven Malkin, M.D., president of the Illinois State Medical Society; Ed Murnane, president of the Illinois Civil Justice League; and Hans von Spakovsky, senior legal fellow and manager of the Civil Justice Reform Initiative at the Heritage Foundation.

encouraging attendees to sign a petition to repeal the 2011 tax hike.

may 3: aTlas shruGGed


screeninG

april 18: confronTinG our deBT crisis a BreakfasT WiTh conGressman peTer roskam
As debt crisis discussions escalated in Washington, the Institute welcomed U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam to provide an update on how he and other pro-liberty legislators are tackling the problem and how the situation affects Illinoisans.

march 23: lessons in leadership from Governor veTo


During his tenure as governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson ran state government like a business. Illinois decision makers could stand to learn from his example and so in March the Institute welcomed Johnson to present his insights. Everything was going to be a cost/ benefit analysis, he said. What are we spending our money on and what are we getting for the money were spending? He shared some of the more outrageous items he vetoed and presented his ideas on education policy, including how the U.S. should rely on 50 state laboratories of innovation rather than the federal Department of Education when it comes to improving public schools.

More than 50 years after the release of Atlas Shrugged, sales of Ayn Rands noted tome have surged as Americans become increasingly angry about government intrusion into their lives. So, when Atlas Shrugged: Part One came to theaters, the Institute joined FreedomWorks to host a special screening of the movie for liberty-minded Illinoisans. After the movie, producers John Aglialoro and Harmon Kaslow discussed the global liberty movement with attendees.

People changing policy

Darci Moore

Illinois Policy Institute supporter


Darci Moores first Institute event was the 2009 Christmas party. She first heard about the Illinois Policy Institute when John Tillman spoke at a Chicago Republican Womens Network event. She attends the Institutes events because of the good speakers and networking. She recommends our events to other like-minded acquaintances because she thinks if more people understood the policies and viewpoints supported by the Illinois Policy Institute, they would understand and support more conservative fiscal policies in the state. She also tries to share the Institutes events with people who lean liberal, hoping to open minds to new ideas. Below: Darci Moore with U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam at the Institutes April 18 event.

april 15 and 18: illinois Tax freedom day rallies


Since Springfield legislators rammed through the biggest tax hike in Illinois history in January, the Institute has led the fight for repeal. To spread the word about the repeal campaign and to build the coalition behind it, Institute staff members attended Tax Freedom Day rallies in Springfield, Peoria and Chicago,

Photo: Mark Campbell Creative.

27

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

May 24: Checking the pulse of Illinois A discussion with Scott Rasmussen

may 22: hoW capiTalism Will save us JoB creaTion


summiT

intersection of public opinion and free market principles. At packed events May 24 in Springfield and Chicago, Rasmussen shared, among other things, that only 23 percent of Americans believe our government has the consent of the governed.

For Illinois to overcome its financial crisis, lawmakers must get serious about putting in place policies that will put our state on sound financial footing. In May, the Institute joined with the Family Taxpayers Foundation to discuss the reforms that Illinois desperately needs, including pension reform. Steve Moore of The Wall Street Journal and Marc Levine, senior fellow at the Institute, spoke on the panel.

June 16: Women, liBerTy and americas fuTure


While the Left often hijacks womens issues, it is liberty principles that offer the most attractive policy solutions to the questions facing women today. To spread this message to Chicago-area women, the Institute and the Independent Womens Forum hosted an afternoon tea featuring Heather Higgins, chairman of the board at the Independent Womens Forum. Higgins led a discussion about womens important role and voice in politics today.

lawmakers were delivering on campaign promises of smaller government and fiscal restraint. To provide Illinoisans with an update from Capitol Hill, the Institute hosted U.S. Rep. Robert Dold for a discussion on whats being done in Washington to build the framework for a more prosperous future. He specifically addressed jobs, the debt limit, and spending and entitlement reform.

July 29: Where To nexT? The fuTure of educaTion reform in illinois


Two days before what would have been Milton Friedmans 99th birthday, the Institute hosted an education policy breakfast in Chicago to honor the effect Friedman had on society and discuss education reform efforts in Illinois. Collin Hitt, the Institutes education policy expert, discussed the quiet emergence of Florida as a victor in the civil-rights fight for educational opportunity. He highlighted the progress that many states around the country made, and also highlighted significant steps forward in Illinois. More than 60 guests, including Institute supporters and education activists, attended the event.

may 24: checkinG The pulse of illinois a discussion WiTh scoTT rasmussen
As demonstrated by Tea Party activity during the past several years, citizens nationwide are fed up. To provide supporting evidence for this phenomenon to Illinois influencers and decision makers, the Institute hosted Scott Rasmussen, founder of Rasmussen Reports, to share his insight on polling data at the
28

June 8: connecTinG The loop To The hill an eveninG WiTh u.s. rep. roBerT dold
After the GOP took control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Institute wanted to see whether these new

Photos: Michael Litchfield.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Oct. 19: Fighting for liberty through thick and thin A luncheon with U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona

sepT. 18: illinois JoBs Tour feaTurinG sTeve moore


The Institute joined with the Family Taxpayers Foundation, Kankakee Regional Chamber of Commerce and WKAN AM 1320 Talk Radio to host an interactive program on the job climate in Illinois. Steve Moore, senior economics writer for The Wall Street Journal, led a panel of experts including Institute CEO John Tillman and executive vice president Kristina Rasmussen that fielded questions and discussed economic policies and solutions for providing a positive effect on the Illinois economy. Rasmussen stressed Illinois situation and highlighted the Institutes Repeal the Tax Hike campaign before the crowd of 200.

ocT. 19: fiGhTinG for


Thin

liBerTy ThrouGh Thick and

a luncheon WiTh u.s. rep. Jeff flake of arizona


Liberty-minded citizens sometimes might feel lonely in Chicago. To provide hope and encouragement to those standing up for liberty in a hostile political environment, the Institute hosted U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona, who has been named Taxpayers Best Friend by the National Taxpayers Union for his superb voting record. During the luncheon, he shared the latest from D.C. and discussed his experience as a reformer, despite the odds against him.

nov. 2: illinois or BusT an eveninG WiTh Joel koTkin


As people continue to leave Illinois for better opportunities elsewhere, the Institute hosted noted futurist and author Joel Kotkin to discuss how Illinois can brighten its economic and social outlook. In his remarks, Kotkin discussed the importance of good public policies that will allow people and businesses to thrive.

Nov. 2: Illinois or Bust An evening with Joel Kotkin


Photo:Valkanet Photography (Rep. Flake event) Mark Campbell Creative (Kotkin event).

29

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Nov. 8: Overlawyered A policy breakfast with Walter Olson

Dec. 7: Gifts of the free market


nov. 8: overlaWyered a policy BreakfasT WiTh WalTer olson
Cato Institute senior fellow Walter Olson joined the Illinois Policy Institute in Chicago for a breakfast discussion about how graduates of legal academia are shaping national policy. Olson, author of Schools for Misrule: Legal Academia and an Overlawyered America, discussed how many of our nations political leaders matriculated from Americas top law schools, taking the ideas learned there to Capitol Hill, and how many of these ideas hurt more than they help. cus on empowering individuals, families, businesses and taxpayers and that have been proven to win. Panels covered fiscal policy, health care and pensions, and featured the following lawmakers and national experts: Michael D. LaFaive, director of the Mackinac Centers Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative; Josh Barro, Walter B. Wriston fellow at the Manhattan Institute; Christie Herrera, director of the American Legislative Exchange Councils Health and Human Services Task Force; Andrew Broy, president of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools; state Rep. Darlene Senger of Naperville; and state Rep. Patti Bellock of Hinsdale. expert Collin Hitt on how free markets are the best way to help the poor and disadvantaged, as well as society in general. A childrens choir from the Chicago International Network of Charter Schools also performed for the audience of almost 150.

dec. 13: educaTion reform in The ipad era peoria luncheon WiTh former W.va. Gov. BoB Wise
The Institute and the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce hosted former West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, for a luncheon in Peoria to discuss how digital learning technology is fulfilling long-time wish lists for many students and educators and how, with the right policy, Illinois could become a leader in this area.
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

nov. 12: policy BooT camp


In November, the Institute hosted the 2011 Policy boot camp, an educational conference for elected officials, candidates and staff members. The forum featured specific policy solutions that fo30

dec. 7: GifTs of The free


markeT

In early December the Institute hosted its annual holiday party, Gifts of the free market, which featured remarks from CEO John Tillman and education policy

Impact

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Financials
donors >$1,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 17 45 95 106

Growing resources for liberty one supporter at a time ToTal income


2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 $109,000 $341,000 $646,000 $1,540,000 $1,791,057 $2,873,534

ToTal donors
2008 2009 2010 2011 167 678 1,109 1,371

he Institute strives to exceed the standards set out by Charity Navigator, the gold standard in financial stewardship, which recommends that program spending accounts for 75 percent or more of spending, administration accounts for 15 percent or less and development accounts for 10 percent or less. Internal records show that in 2011, the Institute exceeded the gold standard.

2011 income sources


Amount Individual Foundation Corporate $2,515,784 $326,000 $31,750 Percentage 88% 11% 1%

Total Income $2,873,534

2011 expendiTure areas


Amount Program Administration Development $2,293,521 $178,727 $169,866 Percentage 87% 7% 6%

Total Expenses $2,293,521

Photo: Mark Campbell Creative.

31

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

Giving
like to talk about the relationship with our supporters, our investors, as a partnership. In a business partnership, money and time is invested with the expectation of providing a product or service for customers while eventually providing a return for investors. Our partnership also requires financing and sweat equity, and a good deal of each. At the Institute, were fortunate to have a loyal base of supporters that continues to grow and invest in our work

Impact

A special note from John Tillman.

for a better Illinois. In 2011, we raised a record $2.87 million to advance a common-sense liberty agenda in Illinois. Our customers are the people of Illinois: taxpayers, small business owners, activists, mothers and fathers trying to live out their version of the American dream. This year we engaged a record number of our fellow citizens through our Liberty Leader program, growing the number of activists we work with to more than 1,000. We also had a record amount of earned news media including

162 television, 113 radio, and 317 print appearances including Chicago Tribune, FOX Business News and WGN 720. Every day I feel blessed to partner with you and my colleagues in Chicago and Springfield who work early mornings, late nights and weekends to advance personal freedom and prosperity in Illinois and the rest of the nation. This year, our government relations team met with individual legislators more than 200 times, authored more than a dozen pieces of legislation, and offered analysis and

People changing policy

Bob Bivins

Illinois Policy Institute supporter


Bob Bivins has been interested in politics and public policy for more than 25 years, and hes committed to limiting government to protect individual rights. He has lived in Illinois since 1976 and resides in Naperville; his two grown daughters live in the Chicago area. He first heard about the Illinois Policy Institute a few years ago at a luncheon. I had almost given up on this state when I stumbled upon the Illinois Policy Institute. I discovered that here was an organization not only keeping track of rascals in Springfield but coming up with realistic alternatives people like myself could rally behind, Bivins said. Bivins is a retired engineer and occasionally dabbles in paintings and woodworking. Being retired gives him more time to volunteer in charitable functions and attend events such as those hosted by the Illinois Policy Institute. He invests his time in becoming more aware of county and local government and staying active in his church. Bivins believes in the importance of limiting government so the private sector can thrive: The efforts of the Illinois Policy Institute in combating the self-serving tendencies of our out-of-control government are crucial if Illinois is ever to regain its prominence. 32
Photos: Mark Campbell Creative.

striding forward

| Illinois Policy Institute 2011 Annual Report

to all our allies, friends and supporters.

Thank you!

committee testimony for 40 pieces of legislation in Springfield. Not only that, we actually changed the law of the land, helping to pass four pieces of legislation including health savings accounts for public employees, a win-win for employees and taxpayers, and liberalization (the good kind) of

charter school authorization. We also helped defeat a misguided proposal to borrow $9 billion and continue to advocate for serious pension and tax reform in 2012. Together, we slowly but surely are turning the tide, making a real, tangible difference and showing the way forward.

I look forward to working with you in 2012 to make it another record year for liberty in Illinois. Sincerely,

At the Illinois Policy Institute, were fortunate to have a loyal base of supporters that continues to grow and invest in our work for a better Illinois. In 2011, we raised a record $2.87 million to advance a common-sense liberty agenda in Illinois. Our customers are the people of Illinois: taxpayers, small business owners, activists, mothers and fathers trying to live out their version of the American dream.
Photo:Valkanet Photography (upper right), Michael Litchfield (lower right) and Mark Campbell Creative (all others).

John Tillman CEO P.S. If you arent partnering with the Institute, or you know someone who is passionate about turning Illinois around but has yet to be introduced to our work, give me a call at 312346-5700, ext. 203 or email me at jtillman@illinoispolicy.org.
33

190 South LaSalle Street | Suite 1630 | Chicago, IL 60603 | 312-346-5700 802 South Second Street | Springfield, IL 62704 | 217-528-8800

w w w. Il l i n o i s Po l i c y. o rg

Policy

changes lives.

You might also like