Press releases

Symposium to explore state's budget situation - 04.15.08
Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week will host a symposium that looks at Illinois' fiscal condition and how the current state budget affects its citizens.

Veteran journalist David Sanger to speak at SIUC - 04.09.08
David E. Sanger, the chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times, will present a lecture next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Media Advisory — Youth Government Day - 04.02.08
Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover any and all events of the eighth Youth Government Day — sponsored by Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute — on Saturday, April 5.

Ball Fair? A Quantitative Examination of Which Universities Succeed In the Men’s NCAA Tournament [PDF] - 03.25.08
An occasional paper written by Wilfred T. Reilly

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to speak at SIUC - 03.21.08
Federal prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald will offer his insight into public service and public corruption in a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Nobel Prize winner Soyinka to speak at SIUC - 02.20.2008
Nobel Prize winner, former political prisoner, playwright, actor and poet – Wole Soyinka is all those things, and more. And on Feb. 28, he will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

PBS' Ray Suarez to speak at SIUC next week - 02.19.2008
Award-winning broadcast journalist Ray Suarez will provide his perspective on faith and politics in 2008 during a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Institute's spring schedule offers forums, speakers - 02.08.08
A Nobel Prize laureate, award-winning journalists, an Illinois congressman who has won widespread bipartisan praise, a corruption-fighting federal prosecutor and a medical doctor honored by Time magazine highlight the spring schedule for Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Presidential Nominations and Regional Primaries:
An Analysis of Proposals for Reform - 12.26.07
An occasional paper written by Dr. John Jackson

SIUC to host Southern Poverty Law Center's Dees - 10.30.07
Morris Dees, the Alabama attorney who has spent more than 35 years battling hate groups throughout the nation, will bring his message to Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Summer 2007 newsletter now available online - 10.22.07
The latest issue of Review & Preview, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute's newsletter, is now available online in PDF format. VIEW ISSUE (PDF) State Supreme Court justice to present lecture - 10.12.07
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Burke will present a lecture next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Former UN world food program chief to visit SIUC - 10.10.07
Catherine Bertini, the former head of the United Nations World Food Programme, will visit with students and present a public lecture next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

SIUC to host variety of distinguished speakers - 09.17.07
Appearances by NASA astronaut and Southern Illinois University Carbondale alumnus Joan E. Higginbotham, and Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center, highlight the remaining fall 2007 schedule for the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Media Advisory — Christopher Gardner - 08.21.07
Due to the anticipated turnout, Christopher Gardner will deliver his speech at the SIU Arena at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 23. Doors will open at 6 p.m

Gardner to bring his inspirational story to SIUC - 08.17.07
Christopher Gardner, often described as a "modern-day Horatio Alger," brings his life story of hard times and personal triumph to Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Paul Powell symposium set for May 15 in Vienna - 05.07.07
He is widely remembered for the $800,000 cash found in a Springfield hotel room closet following his death more than 36 years ago.

Maya Angelou to speak at SIUC on May 2 - 04.24.07
The woman hailed as one of America's most well-known contemporary writers, civil rights activists and stirring public speakers will bring her inspiring words to Southern Illinois University Carbondale next month.

SIUC to host 'Future of the Media' symposium - 04.18.07
The media's rapid and continuing evolution, fueled by computer notebooks, bloggers and 24-7 news cycles, is creating new issues for media professionals and audiences alike.

Renowned cancer researcher to speak at SIUC - 04.09.07
Renowned geneticist and cancer researcher Rick A. Kittles will present a lecture later this week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Illinois House majority leader to speak at SIUC - 03.27.07
Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie will share her insights into nearly three decades in government service during a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Youth Government Day is March 24 in Springfield - 03.08.07
Keynote addresses by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, will highlight the seventh Youth Government Day – sponsored by Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute – on Saturday, March 24.

Task force recommends priorities to address healthcare needs - 02.23.07
The Joint Task Force on Rural Health and Medically Underserved Areas announced its findings and recommendations today during a news conference at the State Capital.
VIEW PDF RELEASE

Legislator to receive public service award - 02.16.07
The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week will honor one of the highest-ranking members of Illinois government.

Conference will benefit job seekers, employers - 02.06.07
Employers can learn about the advantages of hiring people with disabilities at the "Employing Graduates with Disabilities" conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, set for Friday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the SIUC Student Health Center Auditorium.

Fall 2006 / Winter 2007 newsletter now available online - 02.02.07
The latest issue of Review & Preview, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute's newsletter, is now available online in PDF format. VIEW ISSUE (PDF)

SIUC "do-tank" turns 10 - 01.31.07
January marks the 10-year anniversary of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Former governors to discuss moderates in politics - 01.31.07
Three former governors will hold a candid discussion on the "Future of Moderates in State and National Politics" during an event sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Media Advisory - Union leader to visit SIUC - 11.14.06
Union leader Henry L. Bayer will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Wednesday, Nov. 15, as part of the fall lecture series sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Southern Illinois Database is now available - 10.09.06
County-Level Health, Education and Economic Indicators for Southern Illinois
About this database (PDF)

SIUC to host former White House chief of staff - 10.04.06
Former White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card, Jr. will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale next month as part of the fall lecture series sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

New York Times journalist to speak at SIUC - 09.20.06
A New York Times journalist will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week as part of the fall lecture series sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Pictures from Martin Luther King III visit - 09.11.06
Some pictures from King's visit on Aug. 26th are now available.

Paula Wolff to speak at SIUC Sept. 18 - 09.08.06
A veteran civic leader will visit Southern Illinois University Carbondale later this month.

Forum brings together public officials, journalists - 09.08.06
The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will bring together public officials and journalists to discuss their volatile relationship during these changing times.

August 2006 Occasional Paper is now available - 09.06.06
The Making of a Senator: Barack Obama and the 2004 Illinois Senate Race
By Dr. John Jackson - is now available online in PDF format.
MORE OCCASIONAL PAPERS...

Institute schedules diverse array of speakers - 08.28.06
A "dream team" of speakers will grace the stage during the fall lecture series sponsored by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Civil rights leader to speak in Carbondale - 08.21.06
Martin Luther King III, a world-renowned civil rights leader, kicks off the fall lecture series of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

2006 newsletter now available - 07.18.06
This years issue of Review and Preview is now available online in PDF format.

'No Child Left Behind' debate set for April 18 - 04.12.06
Two of the nation's leading education proponents will debate the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Media Advisory – Barbara Flynn Currie - 04.06.06
Illinois House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie's appearance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, is now set for Wednesday, May 3, due to the ongoing legislative session in Springfield.

Media Advisory – Diversity Conference - 04.05.06
Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover a conference on Friday, April 7, in Chicago that examines education and workplace diversity issues facing Asian Americans.

SIUC to host columnist Clarence Page - 03.24.06
Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Clarence Page will share his perspectives during an appearance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next month.

Media Advisory – Jim Ryan at SIUC - 03.20.06
Former Illinois Attorney General and 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee Jim Ryan will meet with students and participate in classroom discussions on Tuesday, March 21, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Journalists to share Middle East perspectives - 03.16.03
Two journalists, one American and the other an Arab, will share their perspectives on the troubled Middle East region during a brown-bag lunch hosted by two Southern Illinois University Carbondale organizations next week.

Paula Wolff lecture postponed - 03.03.06
A lecture by civic activist Paula Wolff set for March 29 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale has been postponed to the fall 2006 semester.

Judicial Independence Seminar - 02.15.06
St. Louis-area and Metro East reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover a program focusing on judicial independence set for Friday, Feb. 17, in downtown St. Louis.

Alumnus, reporter Jackie Spinner to speak - 02.15.06
Jackie Spinner, an award-winning staff writer for the Washington Post and author of a new book detailing her personal observations while covering the war in Iraq, will deliver the Morton-Kenney Public Affairs Lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale later this month.

Journalist Earl Caldwell to speak - 01.27.06
Journalist Earl Caldwell, who has spent a career witnessing and writing on many of the nation's most significant civil rights events in the last 40 years will appear at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next month.

Symposium focuses on funding vital services - 01.24.06
Illinois' ability to meet critical vital service needs given the state's structural budget deficit is the focus of an upcoming conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Spring schedule features politicians, policy makers - 01.17.06
A symposium on Illinois' budget issues, lectures by noted politicians and columnists, and a debate on the effectiveness of the No Child Left Behind Act highlight the spring schedule of speakers for Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Journalist joins institute - 12.08.05
William Freivogel, an award-winning journalist who has covered the U.S. Supreme Court and served as deputy editorial page editor for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch...

Media Advisory - 12.07.05
Mike Lawrence, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will announce a key addition to the institute staff during a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Media Advisory - 12.06.05
Reporters and photographers are welcome to cover a lecture by Judy Shepard at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Student Center Ballrooms.

Study abroad endorsed - 11.14.05
The director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is lauding a report that calls for sending one million American undergraduate students to study abroad annually by 2017.

Rural Health Task Force - 11.02.05
A new legislative task force can play a key role in increasing access to quality health care in rural and other underserved areas, organizers of a 2003 statewide summit said today.

LaHood Campaign Donates - 11.01.05
Congressman Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) announced today that his state campaign fund, Ray LaHood for Illinois, has donated a total of  $125,000 to the Dirksen Congressional Center and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute ...

Head of visa services - 10.31.05
Janice L. Jacobs, the head of visa services in the United States, will discuss international student enrollment and border security efforts next month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Appearance Rescheduled - 10.20.05
Judy Shepard will bring her message of tolerance and equality to Southern Illinois University Carbondale at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 6, in the SIUC Student Center.

Event Postponed - 10.19.05
Illness has forced the postponement of tonight's appearance by Judy Shepard at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Journalist Walter Rodgers - 09.28.05
Walter C. Rodgers, one of the nation's most respected broadcast journalists and a two-degree graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, returns next week to share his nearly 40 years of experience.

SIUC to host state Supreme Court justice - 09.23.05
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Ann G. McMorrow, considered a trailblazer for women in the state's legal circles, is presenting a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Illinois Water Policy - 09.22.05
An occasional paper written by Christopher L. Lant (PDF)

Religion in Politics - 09.14.05
One of the nation's prominent analysts on the role of religion in American politics is presenting a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next week.

Events Posted - 09.02.05
The institute's 2005 fall semester events have now been posted on our event page.

Year in Photos - 09.02.05
Our 2004-2005 event photo gallery is now available.

"Running Dry" release - April 25, 2005
A stark documentary that shows a worsening global water crisis - based on former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon's book that examines the looming catastrophe - is being shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 4, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Redistricting in Illinois - April 24, 2005
An occasional paper written by Dr. John Jackson

Lawrence columns available - April 15, 2005
Mike Lawrence's columns appear in various newspapers throughout the state. His columns do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Mearsheimer will talk - April 13, 2005
A respected expert on international politics and national security will talk about the war in Iraq at this spring's Morton-Kenney Endowed Political Science Lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Justice Delayed release - April 6, 2005
A heralded investigative journalist and a former federal prosecutor who each played key roles in bringing civil rights-era violators to justice will offer distinct perspectives on their careers next week.

Thomas Friedman to speak - April 1, 2005
Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist and best-selling author Thomas L. Friedman will share his insights on foreign affairs at a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale next month.

Lecture canceled - February 22, 2005
State Senate President Emil Jones. Jr's appearance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, set for Wednesday, Feb. 23, has been cancelled.

Illinois Senate President - February 14, 2005
Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones, Jr. will give a free upcoming public lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

New name honors Simon - February 7, 2005
Southern Illinois University Carbondale officials and members of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon's family honored him today (Feb. 7) by announcing the Public Policy Institute he founded will now bear his name.

Exploring the tsunami - January 31, 2005
William Recktenwald, Southern Illinois University Carbondale's journalist-in-residence, next month will recount his first-hand experience from one of the deadliest natural disasters in history.

Art Simon to visit SIUC - January 25, 2005
The Rev. Arthur Simon, a leader in the fight against world hunger for three decades, will lecture next month at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Lawrence named director - October 5, 2004
Veteran newsman, press secretary and respected political analyst Mike Lawrence is the new director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Public Policy Institute. Provost and Vice Chancellor John M. Dunn announced the appointment today (Tuesday, Oct. 5).

Institute reaches milestone - March 15, 2004
The Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, which was established by former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon in 1997, has reached a fund-raising milestone, the Institute's Interim Director Mike Lawrence announced today.

Lawrence interim director - January 12, 2004
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Chancellor Walter V. Wendler announced today (Jan. 12) that Mike Lawrence, former senior policy adviser and press secretary to former Gov. Jim Edgar and associate director of the Public Policy Institute, will head the institute on an interim basis.

Founder and director dies - December 9, 2003
Former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, founder and director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, died today at 1:00 p.m. (CST) at the Prairie Heart Institute at St. John's Hospital in Springfield (Ill.) as a result of extensive bowel ischemia.

Linda Reneé Baker joins - March 18, 2003
Linda Reneé Baker, the head of Illinois' largest state agency for the last three years, is joining the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to focus on expanding access to high-quality health care in partnership with the SIU School of Medicine and helping minorities and people with disabilities realize their full potential, Institute Director Paul Simon announced today (March 18).

John Jackson joins institute - January 11, 2002
John S. Jackson, a nationally known political scientist and former interim chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will join the SIU Public Policy Institute as a visiting professor, institute Director Paul Simon announced today (Jan. 11).