SPOT offers legislators and policy groups single-page Policy Briefs and Fact Sheets to summarize key information about scientific topics of legislative interest. These documents are free, non-partisan, and written by our membership of science and engineering graduate students. Our aim is to support evidence-based policy by leveraging our skills to distill and synthesize complex scientific issues into easily understandable forms.
We most recently visited Springfield in March 2025 to talk to legislators about our efforts and services!
For more information, or if you want to talk more about this, please contact us! We’re always looking for new topics to work on.
Policy Briefs & One Pagers |
||
| Policy Brief Link | Fact Sheet Link | |
| Agriculture | ||
| Urban/Community Gardening | Y | N |
| Organic Farming | Y | N |
| Roadside Pollinator Habits and Best Management Practices | Y | N |
| Pyrethroid Insecticides – Impacts on Human Health and the Environment | Y | N |
| The Use and Impact of Neonicotinoids on Bees | Y | N |
| Energy and Technology | ||
| Impacts of the SOO HVDC Line | Y | Y |
| Renewable Energy and Residential Buildings | Y | N |
| Alternative Fuel Sources (Hydrogen, Biofuels, and Biodiesel) | Y | Y |
| Nuclear Energy | Y | N |
| Hydraulic Fracturing and Common Geological Concerns | Y | N |
| 5G Technologies, Legislation, and Impacts | Y | N |
| Human Health | ||
| Lead Exposure from Lead Pipes | Y | N |
| Psilocybin Assisted Therapy Programs | Y | Y |
| Opiod Use | Y | N |
| Impact of Chronic Illness | Y | N |
| Health Impacts of Coal-Tar Based Sealants | Y | N |
| COVID-19 Vaccines | Y | N |
| The Safety and Efficacy of the HPV Vaccine | Y | N |
| Meningitis B in Illinois | Y | N |
| Pollution | ||
| Diesel Exhaust Particulates: Effects on the Body & Identifying Susceptible Populations | Y | Y |
| Great Lakes Water Quality | Y | N |
| Federal Air Quality Testing Procedures | Y | N |
| Air Quality in the Chicago Metro Area | Y | N |
| Transportation | ||
| Clean Public Bus Technologies | Y | N |
| Local Delivery Emissions | Y | Y |
| Transportation and Mobility | Y | Y |
| Electric Vehicles and Standards | Y | N |
| Waste and Materials | ||
| Effects of Disposable Polystyrene | Y | Y |
| Food Waste Remediation | Y | N |
| The Use, Impact, and Alternatives to BPA | Y | N |
| Pharmaceutical Disposal Methods | Y | N |
| The State of Recycling in Illinois | Y | N |