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Bomke explained that the survey results give him an idea of what his
constituents are concerned about, and this in turn helps him better
serve their interests in the General Assembly. The survey
addressed a wide variety of topics, seeking public opinion on
eminent domain and the jobs climate and requesting input on issues
such as the death penalty, Gov. Blagojevich's administration, stem
cell research and Road Fund revenues.
Many 50th District residents supplied additional comments, a
number of which voiced opposition to the state borrowing more money
to subsidize additional state spending and voicing concerns over the
fund raids that continue to occur under the Blagojevich
administration. School funding was also a major issue for many
responders, with residents expressing concerns over the underfunding
of the pension system for downstate teachers and lobbying for more
money for schools.
Bomke said that ongoing reports of unethical contract practices
and allegations of pay-to-play politics at all levels of state
government no doubt influenced the whopping 86 percent of responders
who believe that a company should be prohibited from making a bid on
state contracts for a limited period of time if that company
contributed to the governor's political campaign. Approximately 9.2
percent of responders did not feel this limitation was necessary,
and 4.7 percent were uncertain.
Almost 84 percent of the people responding do not think that
Blagojevich has done a good job representing the priorities and
values of downstate Illinois, and approximately 12 percent were
undecided, leaving only 4 percent of survey responders supporting
the governor's leadership.
State-funded stem cell research received the most feedback, with
an additional 135 people responding. A little over 12 percent of the
responders felt that the state should not dedicate any revenue to
stem cell research, while 31.5 percent supported state funding of
embryonic stem cell research and almost 43 percent were in favor of
adult stem cell research; 13.5 percent were undecided.
A significant 68.3 percent of the responders were in favor making
Illinois' teacher pension funding more equitable by bringing the
Chicago teachers' pensions to the same level as suburban and
downstate teachers, or about 55 percent, even if this would result
in the Chicago fund receiving less than its current funding level of
90 percent. Almost 12 percent were opposed and approximately 20
percent were unsure.
Additional results:
1. Should municipalities be allowed to seize private property
(eminent domain) for private development?
Yes: 3.2 percent
No: 93.6 percent
Undecided: 3 percent
2. Should the state make Canadian prescription drugs available
for purchase in Illinois?
Yes: 55 percent
No: 33 percent
Undecided: 12 percent
[to top of second column]
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 3. Now that Illinois has successfully passed a death penalty
reform law, should the governor continue the moratorium on the death
penalty?
Yes: 17.9 percent
No: 71 percent
Undecided: 11 percent
4. How should the legislature go about creating a positive job
climate in the state?
Reduce taxes to prospective businesses:
5 percent
Increase incentives for business: 19.8 percent
Roll back previous fee increases: 15 percent
All of the above: 48 percent
None of the above: 3.7 percent
Undecided: 8 percent
5. Should the state put the windfall revenue collected from the
state sales tax on gasoline into the Road Fund, or into the General
Revenue Fund to be used for any governmental purpose?
Road Fund: 78.2 percent
General Revenue Fund: 17.2 percent
None of the above: .01 percent
Undecided: 3.6 percent
6. Should there be a constitutional amendment requiring tax
revenues that go to the Road Fund to be spent only on road
improvements?
Yes: 81.7 percent
No: 10.8 percent
Undecided: 7.4 percent
7. Should there be a law prohibiting the governor from diverting
money from special dedicated funds to pay for the day-to-day
operations of government?
Yes: 86 percent
No: 6.5 percent
Undecided: 6.9 percent
8. Do you support raising the state income tax to fund education
if property taxes were reduced?
Yes: 64.4 percent
No: 25.2 percent
Undecided: 10.2 percent
9. Should partial birth abortions be outlawed in Illinois, except
to save the life of the mother?
Yes: 86.2 percent
No: 6.8 percent
Undecided: 6.9 percent
10. Should taxpayer money be used to subsidize the health care
costs of all Illinois children, regardless of household income,
personal assets or immigration status?
Yes: 12.5 percent
No: 77.8 percent
Undecided: 9.6 percent
11. Last May, lawmakers approved a plan to fill the budget hole
by underfunding the state's pension obligations by approximately $2
billion over the next two years. Should the state continue to
underfund the pension system in year two of the plan, or develop
other means of stimulating revenue?
Yes: 11.5 percent
No: 65 percent
Undecided: 23.4 percent
[News release from
Illinois
Senate Republicans] |
