Illinois Policy Institute

The Illinois Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 2002 and describes its mission as promoting personal freedom, limited government, and economic opportunity through research, advocacy, and public education. The organization focuses primarily on state and local policy issues in Illinois, including fiscal policy, taxation, government spending, education reform, labor policy, and government transparency. It publishes reports, policy briefs, and commentary, and operates a news and opinion outlet. The Institute is funded through private donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses, and is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is not a government agency and does not sell commercial products; its 'offerings' are research publications, policy analysis, and advocacy campaigns. The organization has been influential in Illinois policy debates, particularly on issues such as pension reform, property taxes, and school choice. It is often described as conservative or free-market oriented in its policy positions.

The Illinois Policy Institute was founded in 2002 as a nonprofit public policy research organization. Based in Chicago, it was established to provide free-market policy analysis and advocacy focused on Illinois state government. Over the years, the Institute has published numerous reports and studies on topics such as state budgeting, pensions, taxes, education, and labor policy. It has also operated a news and opinion website, Illinois Policy, which features commentary and investigative reporting on state and local issues. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is funded by private donations. It has been involved in various policy debates in Illinois, including efforts to reform public employee pensions, reduce property taxes, and expand school choice. The Institute is often cited in media coverage of Illinois politics and policy.

• 2002

  Illinois Policy Institute founded in Chicago.

Free-market, limited-government public policy think tank focused on Illinois state issues.

• Policy research reports

• Policy briefs

• Commentary and opinion articles

• News and analysis website

• 2026

  Chicago Teachers Union sues Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center for defamation

  The Chicago Teachers Union filed a defamation lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against the Illinois Policy Institute, the Liberty Justice Center and IPI marketing vice president Austin Berg. The suit alleges that social media posts and articles branding the union "toxic" and accusing it of fraud, dishonest accounting and misuse of funds were part of a deliberate campaign to harm its reputation. The union seeks compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.

  Source

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• 2026.08.17

  Reported2026.08.18

  Chicago Teachers Union sues Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center for defamation[2]Chicago Teachers Union sues Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center for defamationchicago.suntimes.com

  The Chicago Teachers Union filed a defamation lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court on Monday against the Illinois Policy Institute, the Liberty Justice Center and IPI marketing vice president Austin Berg, alleging social media posts and articles branding the union 'toxic' and accusing it of fraud, dishonest accounting and misuse of funds were part of a deliberate campaign to harm its reputation. The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.

  Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.

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1. 1Illinois Policy Institute official websiteillinoispolicy.org
2. 2Chicago Teachers Union sues Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center for defamationchicago.suntimes.com
3. 3CTU sues Illinois Policy Institute and Liberty Justice Center, alleging ‘ongoing smear campaign’chicagotribune.com