Center for Governmental Studies

The Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) is a public service, applied research, and public policy development unit within NIU Outreach. The Center functions as a “think and do” tank, applying the intellectual resources of the university to address public issues facing communities, the region, the state, and the nation.

Founded in 1969, CGS has an interdisciplinary, full-time professional staff of more than 35 people with doctoral and masters degrees in fields such as public administration, public policy, history, business, economic development, computer science, mathematics, and statistics. We assemble interdisciplinary teams to work directly with community leaders in governmental and non-governmental organizations to deliver the following types of services:

• Policy analyses in specialized fields such as: regional and local economic development, community development, growth management and sustainability, workforce education and training, human service planning and needs assessments, economic & fiscal impact analysis, program design and evaluation, and performance reviews.
• Development of innovative initiatives that cut across the boundaries of these specialized fields in order to improve the quality of life for all residents.
• Customized management consulting services for governmental and non-governmental organizations including: strategic planning assistance, development of collaborative networks and strategic alliances, implementation plans, wage and salary assessments, project evaluations, and others.
• Development of customized information systems that can be used to measure performance and improve the effectiveness of public programs.
• Management services for associations of professionals who conduct the public’s business in both governmental and non-governmental organizations.
• Applied research reports that provide information to decision-makers and the public about important issues facing the region, the state and the nation.
• Professional development programs and executive education services designed to bolster the skills of decision-makers and to expand public participation in local, regional, statewide and national policy making.

The Center’s professional staff is dedicated to advancing the capabilities of government at all levels and helping build the civic capacity of non-governmental organizations.  

Contact Us:

Diana Robinson
Interim Director
Center for Governmental Studies
Phone: (815)753.0955
Fax: (815)753.7278
E-mail: drobinson@niu.edu

CGS News

Speaker Presentations Now Available to Download.

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Click here to access maps that illustrate changes in Illinois' rapidly-growing Hispanic population. Maps include overall population change from 2000-2010, country of origin, Hispanic youth by age and gender.

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Brochure (PDF) | Register

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West Whiteside County, Illinois:
Assessing Economic Opportunities
September 2011 | PDF

CGS News Continued

Newly Redistricted
Illinois Legislative Maps

Click here to view.

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NIU CGS: Allan Barsema Among 10 Winners of National Purpose Prize

Learn more & view video here
Visit The Purpose Prize site here
Visit the One Body Collaborative site

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Harvard's Bright Ideas program recognizes Allan Barsema's innovative NIU-Rockford-area partnership: CCI: Community Collaboration Incorporated

Learn more here
Visit Ash Center's Bright Ideas here

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The Community Engagement and Service Mission of Universities

edited by
Patricia Inman & Hans G. Schuetze

Learn more here.

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Series of issue papers designed to provide objective reviews of a concern before the voting public. View them here

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Learn more about The 2011 Report on the Illinois Policy Survey here

View the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for Boone and Winnebago Counties here

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View Sample Studies

View the conference site here

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2010 Edition Now Available

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Learn more about the Illinois Municipal Assistance (IMAP) program (PDF).

Also, be sure to visit IMAP's corporate sponsors:

• Klein, Thorpe, & Jenkins, LTD
• Christopher B. Burke Engineering

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The Economic Impact of the Critical Access Hospital Program on Illinois Communities

Executive Summary | Full Report

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Elmhurst College Poverty Project

Two CGS staff members recently served on a panel at Elmhurst College to discuss poverty in the Chicago suburbs. A photo exhibit tells the ongoing story of people who struggle with poverty in DuPage County.

See it here

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View the latest State of Working Illinois reports here