Raleigh, N.C. – Illinois voters think that their state has the most corrupt politicians in the country. 57% of them expressed that sentiment in Public Policy Polling’s new survey of the state compared to 24% who disagree and 19% who aren’t sure.
Republicans are particularly strong in their feelings, with 82% saying the state has the most corrupt politicians. But a majority of independents (53%) and a plurality of Democrats (43%) say it does as well.
42% of voters think Rod Blagojevich is the state’s most corrupt Governor of the last half century while 29% pick George Ryan. Those numbers predictably break down along party lines with Republicans thinking Blagojevich was the worst and Democrats picking Ryan.
Voters are split on eliminating the office of Lieutenant Governor with 39% supporting such a move, 37% opposing it, and 24% ambivalent.
On the ‘what could have been’ front 49% of voters in the state have a favorable opinion of Attorney General Lisa Madigan, better than Pat Quinn and Alexi Giannoulias combined. The popular Democrat decided not to go for a promotion to either Governor or the US Senate, and it’s increasingly clear her decision has put her party in a tough position.
The Cubs are Illinois’ favorite major league baseball team, but the greater surprise may be who’s in second place. The Cubs are the top choice of 44% of voters in the state and they’re followed by the Cardinals at 22% with the White Sox achieving only a third place finish at 19%.
PPP surveyed 591 Illinois voters from April 1st to 5th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-4.0%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
Complete results are attached and can be found at www.publicpolicypolling.com.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you think Illinois should eliminate the office
of Lieutenant Governor? If yes, press 1. If no,
press 2. If you’re not sure, press 3.
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 39%
No …………………………………………………………. 37%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 24%
Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of Lisa Madigan? If favorable, press 1. If
unfavorable, press 2. If you’re not sure, press
3.
Favorable……………………………………………….. 49%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 23%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 28%
Q3 Do you think that Illinois has the most corrupt
politicians in the country? If yes, press 1. If
no, press 2. If you’re not sure, press 3.
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 57%
No …………………………………………………………. 24%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 19%
Q4 Between Otto Kerner, Daniel Walker, George
Ryan, and Rod Blagojevich who do you think is
the most corrupt Illinois Governor of the last
half century? If Otto Kerner, press 1. If Daniel
Walker, press 2. If George Ryan, press 3. If
Rod Blagojevich, press 4. If you’re not sure,
press 5.
Kerner……………………………………………………. 4%
Walker …………………………………………………… 2%
Ryan ……………………………………………………… 29%
Blagojevich …………………………………………….. 42%
Not Sure…………………………………………………. 22%
Q5 Would you say you are a Chicago Cubs fan,
Chicago White Sox fan, or St. Louis Cardinals
fan? If a Cubs fan, press 1. If a White Sox fan,
press 2. If a Cardinals fan, press 3. If you’re
not a fan of any of those teams, press 4.
Cubs ……………………………………………………… 44%
White Sox ………………………………………………. 19%
Cardinals………………………………………………… 22%
Not a fan of any ………………………………………. 16%
Q6 Who did you vote for President last year? If
John McCain, press 1. If Barack Obama,
press 2. If someone else or you don’t
remember, press 3.
McCain…………………………………………………… 39%
Obama…………………………………………………… 54%
Someone Else/Don’t Remember………………… 7%
Q7 If you are a liberal, press 1. If a moderate,
press 2. If a conservative, press 3.
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 20%
Moderate ……………………………………………….. 44%
Conservative ………………………………………….. 36%
Q8 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 55%
Man……………………………………………………….. 45%
Q9 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 42%
Republican……………………………………………… 30%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 28%
Q10 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 8%
White …………………………………………………….. 72%
African American …………………………………….. 15%
Other……………………………………………………… 5%
Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 7%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 25%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 45%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 23%
