Illinois has unique policies, though not always written. While the law basically says cyclists have a right to the road, in a legal case a rider lost his injury suit because, as there were no "bike route" marks or other indicators taht bicyclists were welcomed, the construction crews who left things in a hazardous condition should not have had to think about whether a bicyclist would get hurt since they weren't "expected users."
As a result, many governmental bodies have taken down "bike route" signs and are not planning bicycle routes, paths or facilities on the grounds that it would be... oh, some technical term for a way they might get sued. THe fact that the reason behind it isn't because somebody sued and got a bunch of money just twists the gizzards... there is a lot more info about this at http://www.bikelib.org
Another interesting "public policy" - don't know if this is the kind of thing you're looking for or not -- is the fact taht in this fair state, funds are given for assorted things like cycling and transportation and this and that... but you're expected to give soem of it back. (Politics in Illinois is *not* transparent or neat.... or, ahem, clean.) The percentage given back from funds that would help cyclists is astronomically higher than other give-backs - but thanks to a letter-and-call campaign it was much better this year (tho' the politicians have a way of doing what they were going to do behind our backs, anyway). The LEague of ILlinos Cyclists' site has a little more on that, too.

I was going to go be productive, but I can't. I forgot the stuff I have to produce stuff. Aargh!!!