Ayn Rand Institute (ARI)

Background

The Ayn Rand Institute (ARI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Irvine, California. According to ARI's website, it "works to introduce young people to Ayn Rand’s novels, to support scholarship and research based on her ideas, and to promote the principles of reason, rational self-interest, individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism to the widest possible audience." [1]

60 Plus Association

Background

The 60 Plus Association describes itself as a "non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise, less government, less taxes approach to seniors issues" and the "conservative alternative to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)." [1]

The group has sought to privatize Social Security, end the federal estate tax, and strengthen gun rights. They oppose aspects of health care reform, federal energy standards, and tax increases.

Illinois Coal Association

Background

The Illinois Coal Association is a coal lobbying group based in Springfield that "represents the coal industry in the state in governmental affairs, in public relations and in related matters." [1]

The Association is listed as a not-for-profit corporation that operates under policies set by its Board of Directors, a group made up of coal mining executives representing one hundred percent of the coal mining firms operating in the state of Illinois.

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR)

Background

Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) is ostensibly a group that pushes for lower taxes. It has close ties to the Republican Party, is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the Cooler Heads Coalition (CHC), and has been known to ally itself with the tobacco industry.