SIU Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

09/02/2026

🍂 The Simon Institute’s Fall 2026 lineup is here!

From nationally recognized leaders and public servants to hands-on opportunities for students, there are plenty of ways to learn, participate and get involved.

📅 FALL 2026 EVENTS

📅 Sept. 15 — Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger
📅 Sept. 16 — SIU Alumna and State Representative Nominee Shantel Franklin
📅 Oct. 19 — ElectHer campaign training for female SIU students
📅 Fall — Intercollegiate Policy Challenge for all SIU students
📅 Oct. 22 — “Lend a Hand, Do What You Can: Remembering the Generosity of Gander on 9/11" featuring former Gander Mayor Claude Elliott

All Institute events are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged, but advance registration is not required.

for more information including how to register👉 https://bit.ly/4yauhj4

09/01/2026

A special day at the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin joined us for our open house and reflected on his longtime friendship with and admiration for Paul Simon, while helping us celebrate an important part of Paul’s legacy.

Hear from Sen. Durbin about public service, clean water and the impact of Paul Simon’s vision.

🎥 Watch the full video to hear the conversation - https://bit.ly/46Ew1Fq

09/01/2026

Thank you to IWIL for including Dr. Jackson and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute for such a meaningful day of learning and discussion with the Class of 2026. We’re proud to support the next generation of Illinois leaders and appreciate the opportunity to be part of their Southern Illinois experience!

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.