<PAGE>   1


  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH  1, 2000
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-
===============================================================================

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                           INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
               DELAWARE                                36-2947987
(State of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                150 NORTH CLINTON STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

   INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC. RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT - JOSEPH P. DURRETT
                            (Full title of the plans)

                              MONICA M. WEED, ESQ.
    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.
                150 NORTH CLINTON STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661
                   (312) 726-1221 (PHONE) (312) 726-1091 (FAX)
           (Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

                                 WITH A COPY TO:
                           ROBERT A. MCWILLIAMS, ESQ.
                FREEBORN & PETERS, 311 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE
                  3000, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606 (312) 360-6551
                          (PHONE) (312) 360-6570 (FAX)

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
The securities that are being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                                                                           Amount Of
          Title Of Securities                  Amount To Be       Offering Price       Registration Fee
          To Be Registered(1)                  Registered(2)      Per Share (3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                  <C>                     <C>
 Common Stock $.01 par value per share......     310,000              7.69                  $630.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  Includes registration of any interests in the plans.

(2)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under the plans by reason
     of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar
     transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration
     which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding
     shares of Common Stock.

(3)  The Offering Price Per Share has been estimated in accordance with Rule
     457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, solely for the purpose of
     calculating the registration fee. The computation is based on the average
     high and low price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
     Market on February 29, 2000.


<PAGE>   2



                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.    INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

           The following documents filed by Information Resources, Inc. (the
"Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are
incorporated by reference:

           (a)      the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                    ended December 31, 1998;

           (b)      the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
                    quarters ended March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999 and
                    September 30, 1999;

           (c)      the description of the Company's common stock, par value
                    $.01 per share, contained in the Company's Registration
                    Statement on Form 8-A dated December 22, 1983; and

           (d)      the description of the Company's stock purchase rights
                    contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                    8-A dated March 15, 1989.

           (e)      All reports and definitive proxy or information statements
                    filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
                    1934 Act after the date of this Registration Statement and
                    prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
                    indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold
                    or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold
                    shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
                    Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
                    of filing of such documents.

           Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

ITEM 4.    DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 5.    INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 6.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

           The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation: (a) eliminates the
personal liability of the Registrant's directors and officers for monetary
damages arising from a breach of their fiduciary duties under certain
circumstances; and (b) authorizes the Registrant to indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law. The limitation of liability in the Certificate of Incorporation does not
affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or
rescission, and does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal
securities laws. The Registrant's


<PAGE>   3


Bylaws: (a) allow for the indemnity of the Registrant's directors and officers
to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law; and
(b) require, under certain circumstances, Registrant to advance expenses to its
directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding.

           Registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors which allow for the indemnification of directors for most expenses,
including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by
them in any action or proceeding, including any action brought by or in the
right of Registrant, or any other company or enterprise to which the person
provides services at the request of Registrant. Under these Agreements,
Registrant is also required to advance expenses to its directors under certain
circumstances.

ITEM 7.    EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 8.    EXHIBITS.

           The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are a part
of this Registration Statement. (See Exhibit Index below).

ITEM 9.    UNDERTAKINGS.

           (a)    Registrant undertakes:

                  (1)      to file, during any period in which offers or sales
                           are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                           Registration Statement:

                           (i)      To include any prospectus required by
                                    Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

                           (ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
                                    events arising after the effective date of
                                    the Registration Statement (or the most
                                    recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                                    which, individually or in the aggregate,
                                    represent a fundamental change in the
                                    information set forth in the Registration
                                    Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                    any increase or decrease in volume of
                                    securities offered (if the total dollar
                                    value of securities offered would not
                                    exceed that which was registered) and any
                                    deviation from the low or high end of the
                                    estimated maximum offering range may be
                                    reflected in the form of a prospectus filed
                                    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
                                    if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                                    and price represent no more than a 20%
                                    change in the maximum aggregate offering
                                    price set forth in the "Calculation of
                                    Registration Fee" table in the effective
                                    Registration Statement;

                           (iii)    To include any material information with
                                    respect to the plan of distribution not
                                    previously disclosed in the Registration
                                    Statement or any material change to such
                                    information in the Registration Statement;

                           Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and
                  (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be
                  included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
                  contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
                  Commission by the Registrant



                                      -2-


<PAGE>   4



                  pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
                  that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
                  Statement.

                  (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability
                           under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
                           amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
                           statement relating to the securities offered therein,
                           and the offering of such securities at that time
                           shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
                           thereof.

                  (3)      To remove from registration by means of a
                           post-effective amendment any of the securities being
                           registered which remain unsold at the termination of
                           the offering.


           (b)    Registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
                  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
                  annual report of Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or
                  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
                  each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
                  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
                  incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
                  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
                  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
                  securities at that time shall be deemed to be an initial
                  bona fide offering thereof.

           (c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
                  Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
                  controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
                  provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
                  that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification
                  is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
                  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
                  for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
                  payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
                  director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the
                  successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
                  asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
                  connection with the securities being registered, Registrant
                  will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
                  been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
                  appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
                  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
                  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
                  adjudication of such issue.



                                      -3-


<PAGE>   5




                                   SIGNATURES

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on February 17, 2000.

                                    INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Joseph P. Durrett
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Joseph P. Durrett
                                        Chairman, President and Chief
                                        Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

           KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph P. Durrett and Monica M. Weed,
jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities indicated on February 17, 2000.


   /s/ Joseph P. Durrett            Chairman, President and Chief Executive
-------------------------------     Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
       Joseph P. Durrett            and Director

   /s/ Gary Hill                    Chief Financial Officer (Principal
-------------------------------     Financial and Accounting Officer)
       Gary Hill

   /s/ James G. Andress             Director
-------------------------------
       James G. Andress

   /s/ William B. Connell           Director
-------------------------------
       William B. Connell

   /s/ Edwin E. Epstein             Director
-------------------------------
       Edwin E. Epstein

   /s/ Bruce A. Gescheider          Director
-------------------------------
       Bruce A. Gescheider

   /s/ John D.C. Little Ph.D.       Director
-------------------------------
       John D.C. Little Ph.D.

   /s/ Leonard M. Lodish            Director
-------------------------------
       Leonard M. Lodish

   /s/ Edward E. Lucente            Director
-------------------------------
       Edward E. Lucente

   /s/ Jeffrey P. Stamen            Director
-------------------------------
       Jeffrey P. Stamen

   /s/ R.H. Van Wagener, Jr.        Director
-------------------------------
       R.H. Van Wagener, Jr.

   /s/ Thomas W. Wilson             Director
-------------------------------
       Thomas W. Wilson



                                      -4-


<PAGE>   6



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit           Description
-------           -----------

4.1               Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1988, and Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  1989)

4.2               By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1988, and Exhibit 3(d) to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended December 31, 1989)

4.3               Form of Rights Agreement between the Registrant and
                  Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
                  with the Commission on March 15, 1989)

5.1               Opinion of Freeborn & Peters (filed herewith)

23.1              Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)

23.2              Consent of Freeborn & Peters (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)

24.1              Power of Attorney (contained on Signature Page)

99.1              Information Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement -
                  Joseph P. Durrett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.22 the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  period ended June 30, 1999)
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 19042}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "INFORMATION RESOURCES INC", "cik": "0000714278", "assigned-sic": "8700", "irs-number": "362947987", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-31416", "film-number": "558918"}, "business-address": {"street1": "150 N CLINTON ST", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60661-1416", "phone": "3127261221"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "150 N CLINTON ST", "city": "CHICAGO", "state": "IL", "zip": "60661-1416"}}
1

  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH  1, 2000
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-
===============================================================================

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                           INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
               DELAWARE                                36-2947987
(State of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

                150 NORTH CLINTON STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

   INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC. RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT - JOSEPH P. DURRETT
                            (Full title of the plans)

                              MONICA M. WEED, ESQ.
    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.
                150 NORTH CLINTON STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60661
                   (312) 726-1221 (PHONE) (312) 726-1091 (FAX)
           (Name, Address, and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)

                                 WITH A COPY TO:
                           ROBERT A. MCWILLIAMS, ESQ.
                FREEBORN & PETERS, 311 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE
                  3000, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60606 (312) 360-6551
                          (PHONE) (312) 360-6570 (FAX)

APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
The securities that are being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                                                                           Amount Of
          Title Of Securities                  Amount To Be       Offering Price       Registration Fee
          To Be Registered(1)                  Registered(2)      Per Share (3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock $.01 par value per share......     310,000              7.69                  $630.00

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Includes registration of any interests in the plans.

(2)  This Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of
     Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under the plans by reason
     of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar
     transaction effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration
     which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding
     shares of Common Stock.

(3)  The Offering Price Per Share has been estimated in accordance with Rule
     457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, solely for the purpose of
     calculating the registration fee. The computation is based on the average
     high and low price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
     Market on February 29, 2000.
2

                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.    INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

           The following documents filed by Information Resources, Inc. (the
"Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are
incorporated by reference:

           (a)      the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                    ended December 31, 1998;

           (b)      the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
                    quarters ended March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999 and
                    September 30, 1999;

           (c)      the description of the Company's common stock, par value
                    $.01 per share, contained in the Company's Registration
                    Statement on Form 8-A dated December 22, 1983; and

           (d)      the description of the Company's stock purchase rights
                    contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                    8-A dated March 15, 1989.

           (e)      All reports and definitive proxy or information statements
                    filed pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
                    1934 Act after the date of this Registration Statement and
                    prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which
                    indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold
                    or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold
                    shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
                    Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date
                    of filing of such documents.

           Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

ITEM 4.    DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 5.    INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 6.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

           The Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation: (a) eliminates the
personal liability of the Registrant's directors and officers for monetary
damages arising from a breach of their fiduciary duties under certain
circumstances; and (b) authorizes the Registrant to indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law. The limitation of liability in the Certificate of Incorporation does not
affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or
rescission, and does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal
securities laws. The Registrant's
3

Bylaws: (a) allow for the indemnity of the Registrant's directors and officers
to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law; and
(b) require, under certain circumstances, Registrant to advance expenses to its
directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding.

           Registrant has also entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors which allow for the indemnification of directors for most expenses,
including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by
them in any action or proceeding, including any action brought by or in the
right of Registrant, or any other company or enterprise to which the person
provides services at the request of Registrant. Under these Agreements,
Registrant is also required to advance expenses to its directors under certain
circumstances.

ITEM 7.    EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

           Not applicable.

ITEM 8.    EXHIBITS.

           The exhibits listed on the accompanying Index to Exhibits are a part
of this Registration Statement. (See Exhibit Index below).

ITEM 9.    UNDERTAKINGS.

           (a)    Registrant undertakes:

                  (1)      to file, during any period in which offers or sales
                           are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                           Registration Statement:

                           (i)      To include any prospectus required by
                                    Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

                           (ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or
                                    events arising after the effective date of
                                    the Registration Statement (or the most
                                    recent post-effective amendment thereof)
                                    which, individually or in the aggregate,
                                    represent a fundamental change in the
                                    information set forth in the Registration
                                    Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                    any increase or decrease in volume of
                                    securities offered (if the total dollar
                                    value of securities offered would not
                                    exceed that which was registered) and any
                                    deviation from the low or high end of the
                                    estimated maximum offering range may be
                                    reflected in the form of a prospectus filed
                                    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
                                    if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
                                    and price represent no more than a 20%
                                    change in the maximum aggregate offering
                                    price set forth in the "Calculation of
                                    Registration Fee" table in the effective
                                    Registration Statement;

                           (iii)    To include any material information with
                                    respect to the plan of distribution not
                                    previously disclosed in the Registration
                                    Statement or any material change to such
                                    information in the Registration Statement;

                           Provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and
                  (1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be
                  included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
                  contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the
                  Commission by the Registrant

                                      -2-
4

                  pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
                  that are incorporated by reference in the Registration
                  Statement.

                  (2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability
                           under the Securities Act, each such post-effective
                           amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
                           statement relating to the securities offered therein,
                           and the offering of such securities at that time
                           shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
                           thereof.

                  (3)      To remove from registration by means of a
                           post-effective amendment any of the securities being
                           registered which remain unsold at the termination of
                           the offering.

           (b)    Registrant undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
                  liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
                  annual report of Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or
                  Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable,
                  each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report
                  pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
                  incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement,
                  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
                  to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
                  securities at that time shall be deemed to be an initial
                  bona fide offering thereof.

           (c)    Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
                  Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
                  controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing
                  provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised
                  that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification
                  is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
                  and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
                  for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
                  payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
                  director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the
                  successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
                  asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
                  connection with the securities being registered, Registrant
                  will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
                  been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
                  appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
                  indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
                  in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
                  adjudication of such issue.

                                      -3-
5

                                   SIGNATURES

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized in the City of Chicago, State of Illinois on February 17, 2000.

                                    INFORMATION RESOURCES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Joseph P. Durrett
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Joseph P. Durrett
                                        Chairman, President and Chief
                                        Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

           KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Joseph P. Durrett and Monica M. Weed,
jointly and severally, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this
Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said
attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done
by virtue hereof.

           Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities indicated on February 17, 2000.

   /s/ Joseph P. Durrett            Chairman, President and Chief Executive
-------------------------------     Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
       Joseph P. Durrett            and Director

   /s/ Gary Hill                    Chief Financial Officer (Principal
-------------------------------     Financial and Accounting Officer)
       Gary Hill

   /s/ James G. Andress             Director
-------------------------------
       James G. Andress

   /s/ William B. Connell           Director
-------------------------------
       William B. Connell

   /s/ Edwin E. Epstein             Director
-------------------------------
       Edwin E. Epstein

   /s/ Bruce A. Gescheider          Director
-------------------------------
       Bruce A. Gescheider

   /s/ John D.C. Little Ph.D.       Director
-------------------------------
       John D.C. Little Ph.D.

   /s/ Leonard M. Lodish            Director
-------------------------------
       Leonard M. Lodish

   /s/ Edward E. Lucente            Director
-------------------------------
       Edward E. Lucente

   /s/ Jeffrey P. Stamen            Director
-------------------------------
       Jeffrey P. Stamen

   /s/ R.H. Van Wagener, Jr.        Director
-------------------------------
       R.H. Van Wagener, Jr.

   /s/ Thomas W. Wilson             Director
-------------------------------
       Thomas W. Wilson

                                      -4-
6

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit           Description
-------           -----------

4.1               Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1988, and Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                  1989)

4.2               By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated
                  by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to the Registrant's
                  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  December 31, 1988, and Exhibit 3(d) to the
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
                  ended December 31, 1989)

4.3               Form of Rights Agreement between the Registrant and
                  Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Rights Agent
                  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
                  with the Commission on March 15, 1989)

5.1               Opinion of Freeborn & Peters (filed herewith)

23.1              Consent of Ernst & Young LLP (filed herewith)

23.2              Consent of Freeborn & Peters (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto)

24.1              Power of Attorney (contained on Signature Page)

99.1              Information Resources, Inc. Restricted Stock Agreement -
                  Joseph P. Durrett (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                  10.22 the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
                  period ended June 30, 1999)