Center for state policy and leadership
- Downstate Illinois Innocence Project
- Lincoln Legacy Lecture Series
- Policy and Leadership Graduate Internships
- Public Policy Summit
The Center for State Policy and Leadership works to improve the policy making process and how state government performs.
You can contribute to the Center's many programs and initiatives by using this online link. Donate
Providing Crucial Information
How does the Center improve policy making? We do this first by providing information. Before a policy becomes law, we inform the people making the decisions about it. Later, as the law is being implemented, we inform state agencies about how well programs are work for clients.
We also inform citizens so they can actively and intelligently express their concerns and views to government officials. We do this especially through our new initiative, the Illinois Democracy Project.
Research, Service, and Education
In addition to providing information, we do 
research, service, and education. Using our unique mix of research and media units, we can bring a concerted, coordinated focus to any issue before us:
- Our Survey Research Office might interview clients and caseworkers.
- Our Institute for Legal, Legislative and Policy Studies could study a specific aspect of the issue.
- Our magazine, Illinois Issues, could do an in-depth analysis.
- Our public radio station, WUIS, could host a panel discussion by political scientists and journalists on the subject.
- The Executive Director’s Office might convene a forum with national experts, including faculty here at UIS.
- Our Office of Electronic Media would then webcast the forum.
- The Papers of Abraham Lincoln could give a historical perspective and then host a lecture series on the issue.
Using all these units, we bring a multidisciplinary approach to what we do.
Leadership Development
Leadership development through our state agency and legislative staff internship programs is another goal. The internships, at offices like the Auditor General, the EPA, and the Dept. of Human Services, give students opportunities to gain exceptional experience in public service.
We are pleased with our progress.
- The Center is becoming a nationally recognized resource for high-quality non-partisan policy analysis and research—not only for scholars and policy makers but also for local leaders and citizens.
- Scholars from throughout the country come as speakers at Center events.
- Our media services are award winning.
- We’ve trained hundreds of Illinois professionals through our programs.
Your support can help us as we move forward, creating more Brilliant Futures for Illinois.
Please give generously.
Questions?
Please use the Send Us Your Question link or contact our office directly.
Are you a student who has benefitted from the Center?
We'd love to hear your story. What have you appreciated most about the program? How would you encourage donors to give? Please send your comments to our web writer, Marilyn Kok, mkok2@uis.edu. We would love to add more students' comments to this site.
We look forward to hearing from you.
