[4] IPI is a member of the State Policy Network, a consortium of free-market think tanks in the U.S.[6] Originally founded by Greg Blankenship, the organization was relaunched by John Tillman in 2007.

[8] In 2018, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote that "Its studies and opinion pieces on cutting government spending and boosting transparency became must-read material to many Republicans, some Democrats — and the governor of Illinois.

"[9] The Chicago Sun-Times described the group as "leading a crusade against government regulations, state spending and labor unions in Illinois.

"[10] IPI formerly operated the Illinois News Network, transferring ownership of that entity to the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity in January 2018.

[11] The group worked closely with former Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner, a Republican and past donor to IPI,[12] during the first several years of his gubernatorial tenure.