John Tillman

John Tillman is CEO of the American Culture Project and the founder and CEO of the Hall of Giants. John is one of the nation's most influential leaders in the free-market public-policy movement. He is best known for building the Illinois Policy Institute into one of the most impactful state-based think tanks in the country, serving as its CEO from 2007 to 2020. He also served as chairman of the board for 19 years before resigning to narrow his focus on his national initiatives and his book, The Political Vise.

John cofounded and chaired the Liberty Justice Center (LJC) from 2011 through 2020. LJC successfully argued the landmark Janus v. AFSCME case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, ending mandatory union fees for public employees.

John is the founder and chairman of numerous organizations advancing liberty, free enterprise, and accountability in public life. These include the Franklin News Foundation, which covers all 50 states and Washington, DC, and whose flagship wire service, The Center Square, reaches more than 2.2 million readers daily. John also cofounded the digital marketing agency Iron Light, among others.

John is the founder and driving force behind the Hall of Giants, a major cultural initiative dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurs and all that they do to improve the human condition. The Hall of Giants will debut on the National Mall this summer as part of the 250th birthday celebration of America's founding. The 5200 square foot traveling exhibit includes immersive exhibits and storytelling on America's entrepreneurs from the founding to the present. To learn more, go to Hallofgiants.org.