Illinois Issues Poll

The Illinois Issues Poll was conducted as part of the regular polling activities of the Center for Community and Regional Studies at Sangamon State University and measured public opinion about the social, economic and political state of the state. It also asked questions about one specific issue: economic development. Information about marital and family status, household employment, residence, age, educational attainment, race, sex, political party affiliation and household income was also collected.

Interviews were conducted during February 1987. The findings of this Illinois Issues Poll are based on telephone interviews with representatives of 445 randomly selected households throughout Illinois. Readers can be confident that 95 percent of the time, results will differ by no more than plus or minus 5 percentage points from the results obtained if representatives of all Illinois households were interviewed.

A significant number (40 percent) of Illinoisans believe that jobs and unemployment represent the state's most important problems. Other problem areas identified much less frequently were spending and taxes, education, welfare, farming, and crime and justice. Fifty-three percent of citizens also believe that state government can be trusted to do the right thing about these and other problems "only some of the time."

Tied to their concerns about jobs and unemployment, over 60 percent of Illinois citizens believe that economic development is a very important problem in the state — so much so that over 40 percent of them believe that state government should spend more on economic development even if taxes have to be raised to do it. This support for increased spending is understandable since almost one-half of the state's citizens believe that state government is now doing only a fair job with economic development.

The Center for Community and Regional Studies is part of Sangamon State University, Springfield. Organizations or individuals who are interested in using the center's polling service should call the center: (217) 786-6571.

22/May 1987/Illinois Issues

How are things in general in Illinois? Now . . .

Compared to last year . . .

How are economic conditions in your area? Now . . .

Compared to last year . . .

Expected for next year . . .

How much do you trust state government to do what's right?

How well is state government working, compared to last year?

What is the most important problem facing Illinois?

Economic development in Illinois . . . How important is it as a problem?

Should state spend more on it? Even if it means increasing taxes?

How good a job does state do on it?

May 1987/Illinois Issues/23