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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA)

@illinoisigpa.bsky.social

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Informing the policy conversation in Illinois and beyond https://igpa.uillinois.edu/

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Apr 1

🎙️ Podcast: In the inaugural episode of Illinois Policy Unpacked, we sit down with Jonathan Coppess, an associate professor of agricultural policy at Illinois, to discuss the potential impact of recently proposed tariffs on Illinois farmers. Full podcast ➡️ bit.ly/4iLo45S

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · 2d

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...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · 3d

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...

Tracking Public Perceptions of Payments Across Commodities - farmdoc daily

Maria Kalaitzandonakes, Jonathan Coppess, and Brenna Ellison - In the last year, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign has brought a new public interest and scrutiny of food and agricultural ...

farmdocdaily.illinois.edu

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · 16d

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

IGPA - The University of Illinois System is the people's university, and IGPA is the people's policy think tank.

The University of Illinois System is the people's university, and IGPA is the people's policy think tank.

ow.ly

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · 22d

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/...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · 23d

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...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Sep 9

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...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Sep 3

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/...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Sep 2

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

Is climate change harming corn crops in Illinois? | Illinois Public Media

In this episode, we are talking about challenges faced by farmers under climate change and the economic impacts for consumers. If you have a question for a local scientist on this program, please lea...

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 27

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...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 25

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

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 21

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.

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 20

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

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 13

🎙️ 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

IGPA - The University of Illinois System is the people’s university, and IGPA is the people’s policy think tank.

The University of Illinois System is the people’s university, and IGPA is the people’s policy think tank.

ow.ly

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 12

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

Opinion: Because going to college pays off, increasing access is urgent

The evidence confirms the financial benefits of getting a college degree, these statewide education leaders write.

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 11

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

Louisiana redistricting case could change the rules nationwide - Roll Call

The Supreme Court heard a narrower version of the case over Louisiana's congressional districts before opting not to decide the issue in June.

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 6

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.

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 5

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

Federal energy office illustrates the perils of fluctuating budgets and priorities

When presidential administrations turn over, funding levels and project priorities change. A look at one specific government office demonstrates how these shifts in direction waste time and money.

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Aug 1

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/...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 30

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/...

IGPA - The University of Illinois System is the people’s university, and IGPA is the people’s policy think tank.

The University of Illinois System is the people’s university, and IGPA is the people’s policy think tank.

igpa.uillinois.edu

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 29

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...

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 29

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

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 22

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

Idea: Consider sales tax on haircuts, dry cleaning, other services - Capitol City Now

IL does not do this, though US is now a service-based economy

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 22

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

How Trump’s big bill devastates the US food system

With food stamps no longer protected by the decades-old farm bill coalition, millions are likely to go hungry while Big Ag is showered with new subsidies.

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Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 17

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

Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA) @illinoisigpa.bsky.social · Jul 16

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...