Illinois Budget Policy Toolbox Webinars

URBANA, Ill. – Illinois is in fiscal crisis, with no easy solutions. Many tools will be needed to fix the problem, according to policy experts.

The Illinois Budget Policy Toolbox is a virtual resource center providing papers that assess policy options and frame the issues surrounding Illinois’ precarious budget situation. Using high quality academic scholarship, leading policy experts from the University of Illinois provide a nonpartisan overview of the state’s fiscal situation and evaluate the pros and cons of a variety of revenue and spending options.

The U of I Extension Local Government Information and Education Network, in partnership with the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA), will present an opportunity to learn more about this project and interact with the scholars through a series of upcoming webinars.

The webinars will be offered on the second Tuesday of the month beginning at noon. Session topics and speakers include:


May 13 – Toolbox Fundamentals

  • About the Toolbox Project; Christopher Z. Mooney, Director of IGPA

  • Overview of the Economic Situation; David Merriman, UIC, Public Administration

  • The “Do Nothing” Option; J. Fred Giertz, UIUC, Economics

  • Making the 2011 Tax Increase Permanent; Richard F. Dye, UIC, The Fiscal Futures Project

June 10 – Tools to Address Revenue

  • About the Toolbox Project; Christopher Z. Mooney, Director of IGPA

  • Increasing Sin Taxes; Julian Reif and John Schneider, UIUC, Economics

  • Business Tax Options; David Merriman, UIC, Public Administration

  • Sales Tax Options; J. Fred Giertz, UIUC, Economics

August 12 – Tools to Address Spending

  • About the Toolbox Project; Christopher Z. Mooney, Director of IGPA

  • Bending the Curve; Richard Winkel, Director of IGPA Office of Public Leadership

  • Waste and Abuse in Human Affairs Spending; Elizabeth Powers, UIUC, Economics

  • Health Spending; Anthony Lo Sasso, UIC, Health Policy and Administration

  • Better Fiscal Planning; Nancy Hudspeth, UIC, The Fiscal Futures Project

September 9 – Important Questions about Redistricting in Illinois

  • Brian Gaines, UIUC Public Policy; Christopher Z Mooney, Director of IGPA; Richard Winkel, Director of IGPA Office of Public Leadership

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Registration is required and can be done at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/. You will be provided log-on information so that you may participate in the program from your home or your office via the Internet.

Each session will be recorded and posted at http://web.extension.illinois.edu/lgien/online.cfm.

The Illinois Budget Toolbox is a project by the Illinois Institute of Government Policy and Public Affairs. The webinar series is presented in partnership with University of Illinois Extension Local Government Information and Education Network.