Illinois Public Interest Research Group

Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG) is a non-profit organization that is part of the state PIRG organizations. It works on a variety of political activities, including childhood obesity, reducing the interest on student loans, and closing tax loopholes.[1][2]

In the United States, Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) are non-profit organizations that employ grassroots organizing, direct advocacy, investigative journalism, and litigation to affect public policy.[3]

History

Illinois PIRG was founded in 1987, and has offices in Chicago, Springfield, IL, and a national lobbying office in Washington, D.C. called US PIRG.[4]

The PIRGs emerged in the early 1970s on U.S. college campuses. The PIRG model was proposed in the book Action for a Change by Ralph Nader and Donald Ross.[5] Among other early accomplishments, the PIRGs were responsible for much of the Container Container Deposit Legislation in the United States, also known as "bottle bills."[6][7]

Notable members and alumni

Phil Radford, environmental leader

Affiliate organizations

References

  1. "Illinois Public Interest Research Group". Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  2. "House Approves Lower Rate on Student Loans". Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  3. "U.S. PIRG: About Us". Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  4. "In the Matter of Third Periodic Review of the Commission’s Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion To Digital Television, Comments of Illinois PIRG"". Benton Foundation. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  5. Nader, Ralph; Donald Ross (1972). Action for a Change: A Student's Manual for Public Interest Organizing. New York: Grossman Publishers.
  6. "PIRG Backs "Bottle Bill"". Boston College. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  7. "Bottle Bill Beverage Containers Recycling Program"". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  8. "Phillip D. Radford, Greenpeace, Executive Director". Fund for the Public Interest. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
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