In our latest report, Suyang Yu, assistant professor at the School of Public Management and Policy, UIS, recommends investments in leadership training, and emergency operations updates are key to improved disaster response. ow.ly/j70o50Ymzuu

Applications are now open for the Partnerships for Evidence-based Public Policy (PEPP) fellowship program for the 2026–27 academic year. Learn more about the PEPP fellowship and application requirements—the application portal is now open! ow.ly/4rf850Ye1LY

IGPA proudly adds the AI Policy Atlas Project, led by Jeremy Riel, a non-partisan tool tracking state AI legislation. Explore it and upcoming projects: ow.ly/5kOz50YcwkV

In our latest report, Craig De Voto, Research Assistant Professor in the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago, examines the future Illinois schools could face as federal COVID-19 funding sunsets. igpa.uillinois.edu/reports/poli...

Episode four of the Future Tech and Policy podcast covers CES’s “Worst In Show,” federal AI regulation moves, OpenAI’s new risk officer, and Disney bringing its characters to ChatGPT and Sora. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvmF...

Paula Worthington, an IGPA affiliate and co-author of the latest Policy Spotlight, outlines how a loss in provider taxes could drain of $1.5B of Medicaid revenue. ow.ly/u34850XU0EJ

Elizabeth Powers joined the @ilpublicmedia.bsky.social 21st Show to discuss Illinois' grocery tax official expiration at the start of this year. However, many Illinoisans are still paying that tax. ow.ly/hJfy50XTcc1

The Illinois Economic Flash Index for December ended the year at 101.7, the same reading as November. For the year, the index was down from a 102.4 reading in December 2024. This indicates a slowing but still expanding Illinois economy. ow.ly/6iAU50XS26b

Illinois' Rakesh Kumar warns U.S. chip export bans won’t stop China’s AI progress. China can adapt via software, open-source models, and cost advantages, while restrictions risk harming U.S. firms and fueling China’s chip ecosystem. ow.ly/t4j950XRW9a

Trump’s first year back brought economic turbulence and big education shifts. IGPA’s Craig De Voto warns that dismantling the Dept. of Ed would push responsibilities to states and put underserved students at risk. ow.ly/EGMR50XGZyl

On the inaugural Future Tech & Policy Podcast, panelists Jeremy Riel and Ken Suh break down recent AI news. The pair discuss Sora’s new Android video app, a court order for OpenAI chat logs, and more. ow.ly/Gl2U50XAVXT

The Edgar Fellows nonprofit board has appointed former U.S. Congressman and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood as Distinguished Director of Edgar Fellows®. Full press release ➡️ ow.ly/2beU50XBpes

The Illinois Flash Economic Index for November rose slightly to 101.7 from its 101.6 level in October. The economy remains in a stable, low-growth mode, continuing the path it has followed for the last several months. igpa.uillinois.edu/flash-index/...

Community leaders and advocates, including Tracy Dace, an IGPA affiliate, will gather tomorrow in Champaign for the “Reimagining Public Safety” town hall to discuss innovative solutions to gun violence and accountability in the firearm industry. ow.ly/cxe150XtB9Q

Molly Lamb, executive director of the Center for State Policy and Leadership at UIS, outlines how proposed Illinois legislation can help protect public officials. ow.ly/1gNL50Xt5T3

Elizabeth Powers, assistant director of IGPA and associate professor of economics at Illinois, estimates Champaign County alone could lose about $3 million per month in SNAP spending, hurting grocery stores and local businesses. ow.ly/qpN050XqFsw

Matthew Tarduno, assistant professor of economics at UIC, explains the potential impact of the recently passed, sweeping Illinois energy reform package. ow.ly/knkU50XqAgL

Congratulation to science and technology working group co-lead Jeremy Riel on receiving the 2025 IEEE Mac Van Valkenburg Early Career Teaching Award. The IEEE award honors early-career educators for innovative, engaging computing instruction.

James Swartz, PhD, professor at UIC's Jane Addams College of Social Work, explains why hemp regulation is vital for Illinois in our latest Q&A. igpa.uillinois.edu/in-the-news/...

The Illinois Flash Economic Index in October fell to 101.6 from its 101.8 level in September. This indicates a gradual slowing of the Illinois economy over the last several months, but not a major decline. ow.ly/ClP850Xm23h

Jonathan Coppess cautions that ad hoc farm payments, if drawn from USDA programs meant for standard support, may distort input and commodity price signals, hinder market corrections, and expose soybean markets to geopolitical risk, complicating planning. www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/farm-po...

🎙️ Check out our latest episode of the Illinois Policy Unpacked podcast, covering the Illinois' transit budget crisis with Paula Worthington and Richard Funderburg. igpa.uillinois.edu/in-the-news/...

In our latest report, Richard Funderburg, professor at UIS, and Paula Worthington, senior lecturer at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, discuss Illinois’ transit budget crisis. go.uillinois.edu/Transit-Fund...

Amy Leman, assistant professor of agriculture leadership at Illinois, explains the potential impacts of House Bill 4895. igpa.uillinois.edu/in-the-news/...

Brian Gaines, Honorable W. Russell Arrington Professor in State Politics at Illinois, talked about the federal shutdown and how it will affect central Illinois on @wcia3news.bsky.social. www.wcia.com/illinois-cap...

How has the Make America Healthy Again campaign shaped public views on food and farm policy? New results from the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey reveal little change in support across commodities despite major shifts in food policy debates. farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2025/09/trac...

In her latest policy analysis, Mina Raj, assistant professor at @ahsillinois.bsky.social explores the impact of the CARE Act and how it improves outcomes for patients, strengthens health systems, and benefits states. Read the full analysis here: ow.ly/Lfx250X0htC

Sara Gerke, an associate professor at @law.illinois.edu, explains the ethical complications of using AI for mental health treatment and how fractured federal policy can complicate compliance. igpa.uillinois.edu/in-the-news/...

IGPA is deeply saddened by the passing of Gov. Jim Edgar. His commitment to good government led to the formation of the Edgar Fellows Program at IGPA, which seeks to inspire collaboration in addressing the state’s major challenges. news.uillinois.edu/view/7815/43...

Jonathan Coppess, associate professor of agricultural policy, critiques Section 10306 of the Reconciliation Farm Bill, warning it expands subsidy loopholes that favor big farms over small and beginning farmers, fueling higher land costs and harm to rural communities. www.farms.com/news/the-rec...

The Illinois Flash Index fell again in August to 101.7 from its 101.8 level in July. “As noted in the past, this may be the soft landing hoped for a year ago when there was fear of a looming recession,” said Fred Giertz, professor emeritus at Illinois. igpa.uillinois.edu/flash-index/...

Jonathan Coppess, Illinois professor of agriculture and IGPA affiliate, joins several experts in discussing challenges faced by farmers under climate change and the economic impacts for consumers. ow.ly/vUAq50WPzGE

Jacinda Dariotis, professor of human development/family studies at Illinois, published an analysis on impacts of the pandemic among youth and parents across the U.S. Midwest. This study was completed with the help of a Research Scholar Initiative grant through IGPA. aces.illinois.edu/news/how-cov...

IGPA is proud to launch the Data Hub, a new central resource for accessible, research-ready public policy data, debuting with its inaugural project, "Fiscal Futures," led by Professor David Merriman of @uiccuppa.bsky.social. Explore the Data Hub here: ow.ly/e3kg50WLwG1

Sara Gerke, associate professor of law at Illinois and IGPA affiliate, is spearheading the "AI in Cancer Surgery & Care" conference on September 4–5 at the University of Illinois College of Law. Attendance is free, but space is limited: forms.illinois.edu/sec/1702756029.

IGPA held its annual staff retreat yesterday at Allerton Park, where the team discussed accomplishments and set goals for the upcoming year. Learn more about the IGPA team at igpa.uillinois.edu/leadership

🎙️ On Illinois Policy Unpacked, UIC’s Jeremy Riel explores Illinois’ AI policy landscape, shares goals of IGPA’s new science and technology working group, and discusses how his latest grant supports educators and lawmakers navigating emerging tech. ow.ly/oWCJ50WFm5f

In a @crainschicago.bsky.social op-ed, Meg Bates highlights new research showing young adults with a bachelor’s degree earn nearly $30K more than high school grads within 3 years. The study underscores the need for expanded college access and equity-focused policy. ow.ly/YWCM50WEPX2

A Louisiana redistricting case could change the rules nationwide. Steve Schwinn, a law professor at UIC, said the case “could potentially seriously threaten another part of the Voting Rights Act,” along with other decisions in recent years. ow.ly/QniA50WCVKo

Congratulations to Steven Schwinn, IGPA affiliate and professor of law at UIC, on being selected for the 2025-26 President’s Executive Leadership Program Fellows program.

Christelle Khalaf, Associate Director at UIC’s Government Finance Research Center, explores how changing political leadership disrupts federal energy funding. She argues that stable, long-term investment is key to advancing clean energy and staying globally competitive. ow.ly/v3wq50WAbyh

The Illinois Flash Index fell slightly again in July to 101.8 from its 101.9 level in June. “This mirrors the national economy, which remains remarkably stable amid both domestic and international uncertainty,” said Fred Giertz, Professor Emeritus at Illinois. igpa.uillinois.edu/flash-index/...

41 public policy leaders from across Illinois have been selected for the 2025 class of the Edgar Fellows Program. This leadership initiative designed by former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar to inspire respectful collaboration in addressing the state’s major challenges. igpa.uillinois.edu/in-the-news/...

Meicen Sun, a professor of information sciences at Illinois, explains that unlike traditional tariffs, digital controls use data regulations, often framed as national security measures, to shield domestic tech companies, as in the case of the TikTok ban. news.illinois.edu/what-are-the...

46 out-of-state agencies, including in Texas, illegally accessed Illinois license plate data to investigate abortion and immigration cases. Sara Gerke, associate law professor at Illinois, warns of growing cross-state data misuse and calls for stronger privacy protections. ow.ly/aCRt50WwRuc

David Merriman, professor at @uiccuppa.bsky.social, talks about his team's latest analysis on Illinois' finances. “Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin all have a broader sales tax base than Illinois," Merriman said. ow.ly/WrIC50WtycV

Jonathan Coppess critiques the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” for shifting farm policy priorities and cutting nearly $186B from SNAP while increasing subsidies for large farms. This move breaks the traditional farm bill agreement linking food aid and farm support. ow.ly/iMVZ50WtjeV

The inaugural PEPP cohort will begin in August 2025 with four fellows working on policy projects related to labor policy, child welfare, natural resources, and housing policy. PEPP is a collaborative program directed by IGPA and the Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS). ow.ly/sCgR50Wr9Kt

A new policy report provides a timely look at Illinois’ financial health and examines potential policy shifts, with a particular focus on the state’s sales tax structure. go.uillinois.edu/PolicySpotli...

Jonathan Coppess, associate professor of agriculture and consumer economics at Illinois, discusses recent changes to federal food funding are putting pressure on some farmers and the communities that rely on their products on the 21st Show. will.illinois.edu/21stshow/sto...