In 2018, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University published a study by John L. Foster and John S. Jackson, “The Politics of Public Budgeting in Illinois.” This study has been repeatedly referenced in the media. The one bit of information often pointed out is their ratios showing that Southern Illinois gets back $2.81 for every dollar sent to Springfield, while Cook County gets back only 90 cents. We believe, for several reasons, that this study is flawed. Because this study is used to discredit the state split movement, we have written a response to it.
Click the link below to read this response:

Response to Paul Simon Study
 
For those interested in reading the original Foster & Jackson report, it is available online at https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1059&context=ppi_papers.