SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

08/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for today’s Open House!

We were happy to see so many friends and supporters on this Friday afternoon as we came together to reconnect, celebrate the Institute’s work and welcome a very special guest, Senator Dick Durbin.

A highlight of the afternoon was Senator Durbin bringing the Water Award he received for his work advancing clean water and sanitation around the world. The award will now be housed at Southern Illinois University as a lasting part of Paul Simon’s legacy.

Durbin presented the award to former Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, Paul Simon’s daughter, and Interim Institute Director Dr. Linda Baker on behalf of the Institute.

We are grateful to Senator Durbin for his friendship and for continuing Paul Simon’s work on this important issue. And thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

We look forward to seeing you at the Institute’s upcoming events this fall. And be on the lookout for a video from today’s event next week!

08/25/2026

The Institute will host an open house featuring a special appearance by U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin THIS FRIDAY (Aug. 28) from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Forestry Building, 1231 Lincoln Drive, on the Southern Illinois University campus.

During the event, Durbin will bring the Water Award he received for his work addressing clean water for the world’s most poor. The award will be housed at SIU and reflects Durbin’s continued work with Patti Simon to advance the legacy of former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon, who championed global water issues through the Water for the World Act.

The open house will bring together Institute staff, friends and supporters to connect and celebrate the Institute’s work.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is appreciated but not required.

📅 Friday, August 28
🕛 12–1:30 p.m.
📍 Forestry Building | 1231 Lincoln Drive

Register - https://bit.ly/3SYKkl7

08/24/2026

We are saddened to learn of the passing of former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum Baker (R-KS), a distinguished public servant and longtime friend of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

On August 29, 2003, Senator Kassebaum Baker and her husband, former U.S. Senator Howard Baker Jr., joined us at SIU as the inaugural lecturers in the Jeanne Hurley Simon Lecture series. During their visit, they reflected on their experiences in Washington and around the world, as well as their friendship with Paul and Jeanne Simon.

Senator Kassebaum Baker chaired the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee, and both she and Senator Baker, like Paul Simon, were strong advocates for Africa and humanitarian issues.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have welcomed Nancy and Howard Baker to the Institute and will remember Senator Kassebaum Baker for her distinguished career, commitment to public service and friendship with Paul and Jeanne Simon.

Pictured from left to right: Paul Simon, Patti Simon, Howard Baker Jr., Nancy Kassebaum Baker and Matt Baughman.

Our thoughts are with Senator Kassebaum Baker’s family, friends and all those who were touched by her remarkable life of service.

08/20/2026

We were pleased to welcome State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. to Southern Illinois University during his visit to Carbondale!

Representative Evans met with SIU Chancellor Austin Lane, Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey and SIU students — including our Celia M. Howard Fellow, Journey Short — at the Tedrick Welcome Center before taking a campus tour that ended at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

Thank you, Representative Evans, for taking the time to visit SIU, Carbondale and the Institute. We appreciate the opportunity to connect and hope you enjoyed your time in Southern Illinois!

State Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Chancellor Austin A. Lane
City of Carbondale Government

08/14/2026

08/14/2026

Dr. John Jackson recently joined Capitol News Illinois for a wide-ranging discussion on some of the most pressing policy issues facing Illinois, including education funding, legislative challenges, the growing debate over data centers, and concerns surrounding oversight of funeral homes.

The conversation explored why Illinois’ evidence-based school funding formula continues to leave many districts short of their adequacy targets, as well as the political challenges surrounding education funding and revenue. Dr. Jackson also discussed the pressures facing legislative leaders in Springfield, the implications of the state’s growing data center industry, and what a recent Chicago funeral home scandal reveals about gaps in Illinois’ regulatory system.

And if you’re new to SIU: Dr. Jackson will be at New Student Orientation this Sunday, August 16, from 1–2 p.m. in Shryock Auditorium to share some of the history of Southern Illinois University. As the author of a book on SIU’s history and one of the university’s leading authorities on the subject, he’s uniquely qualified to tell the story of this institution and the region it calls home. We hope you’ll join him!

Watch:

Brian Sapp discusses Illinois politics and current events with John...

08/11/2026

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute was honored to have interim Institute Director Dr. Linda Baker in attendance for a special ceremony in Springfield recognizing the legacy of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar.

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the renaming of the Illinois State Armory as the Jim Edgar Executive Office Building at the Illinois Armory, honoring Illinois’ 38th governor and his lasting contributions to public service.

Governor Edgar, a Republican from Central Illinois, served two terms as governor from 1991 to 1999. He was widely respected for his commitment to public service, bipartisan cooperation, and effective leadership.

The building is currently undergoing restoration as part of broader improvements to the Illinois Capitol Complex and will serve as a home for the Governor’s Office Executive Staff, the Office of Management and Budget, and other executive state agencies.

We are proud to see Governor Edgar’s legacy of public service honored in this meaningful way and grateful that Dr. Baker could represent the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at this special occasion.

08/10/2026

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute was proud to have a strong connection to the 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Chicago, held July 27–29 at McCormick Place.

The bipartisan summit brought together more than 7,800 state legislators, legislative staff, and policy experts from all 50 states and U.S. territories for three days of discussion, collaboration, and learning about the issues shaping our nation.

Interim Institute Director Dr. Linda Baker had the opportunity to connect with a host of former and current Institute students and fellows during the Summit, including at the Lead Where You Are Reception, hosted by the Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) in partnership with Women In Government and the Women's Legislative Network.

Among those participating was Nekya Hall, a 2019 Alexander Lane Intern with the Institute, who now serves as Executive Director of the Conference of Women Legislators. Celia M. Howard fellow Journey Short and former spring interns also volunteered at the Illinois women’s legislative event.

It was wonderful to see members of the Institute family continuing to make an impact in public service and creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, mentorship, and leadership.

We are proud to see our former interns, fellows, and students putting their experiences to work across Illinois and beyond!

08/06/2026

Day 3 at the Edgar Fellows Executive Leadership Training Program was filled with insightful conversations and opportunities to reconnect with leaders from across Illinois.

Interim Institute Director Dr. Linda Baker had the opportunity to hear from Illinois State Senator and Majority Caucus Appropriations Leader Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. , who delivered an inspiring address and introduced his district office summer interns. The interns were joined by Illinois State Representative William "Will" Davis and Edgar Fellows Program Coordinator Sue Grace Rominger, and later had the chance to meet with former U.S. Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

Throughout the day, Dr. Baker also enjoyed catching up with several friends of the Institute, including Crystal Olsen, Area Vice President of Government Affairs for Advocate Health Care and former staff member to Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon; Illinois State Representative Ryan Spain; Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi; former Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Jim Edgar Allen Grosboll; and Illinois State Representative Lisa Davis.

The day also provided a chance for Dr. Baker and former Institute Director Mike Lawrence to reconnect and they were joined by another longtime friend of the Institute, Matt Baughman. Baughman serves on the Edgar Fellows Advisory Board, and Lawrence served as press secretary to Gov. Jim Edgar, all welcomed the opportunity to catch up during the program.

The Edgar Fellows Program continues to bring together leaders from across Illinois to foster collaboration, strengthen relationships, and encourage solution-oriented leadership.

08/05/2026

Congratulations to Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen on being named the 2026 recipient of the Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award!

Mayor Feinen has dedicated nearly two decades to public service, earning a reputation for visionary leadership, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Champaign residents. From advancing equity initiatives and major infrastructure projects to fostering economic development and building consensus, her leadership reflects the values this award was created to honor.

The Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award recognizes Illinois state and local officials who exemplify vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility, and the ability to bring people together to solve challenges.

The award was presented during the annual Edgar Fellows dinner in Champaign, where former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Dr. Linda Baker, interim director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, announced Mayor Feinen as this year's honoree.

Mayor Feinen, Dr. Baker, LaHood, Brenda Edgar, and keynote speaker Chris Reynolds, vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Bradley University, are pictured together following the award presentation.

Please join us in congratulating Mayor Feinen on this well-deserved honor!