* Tom Schuba at NBC 5…
According to a new poll conducted by Southern Illinois University’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, 47 percent of registered Illinois voters want to leave the state.
In comparison, 51 percent of the poll’s respondents said they’d prefer to remain in the state, while 2 percent remained undecided. According to the poll, 20 percent of respondents said it was likely, somewhat likely or likely that they’d leave the state in the coming year. Nearly 80 percent said it was unlikely.
Respondents cited the state’s taxes, weather, government and jobs as the main reasons for wanting to leave the state. According to the poll, 27 percent cited taxes, 16 percent blamed the weather, 15 percent cited government and 13 percent pointed to jobs and education.
“There are lots of reasons why people want to leave, David Yepsen, director of the institute, said in a statement. “Not much can be done about the weather but policy makers can do something about perceptions of the quality of services, tax competitiveness, tax fairness and educational and job opportunities.”
* From the Institute…
The poll also showed 20 percent said it was extremely likely, somewhat likely or likely they would leave the state in the coming year. Nearly 80 percent said it was unlikely.
Well, hey, only a fifth of the population say they’re likely to be leaving soon. What a relief. /snark
* More…
People under 50 are much more likely to want to leave than the rest of the population. Fifty- seven percent of millennials (under 35) want to leave the state while 58 percent of those between 35 and 50 want to leave. Only 29 percent of adults over age 66 want to leave Illinois.
“Policy-makers argue over whether people are leaving or not,” Yepsen said. “The most troubling finding in this poll is that so many younger people are thinking about it. That’s the state’s future.”
The measurements are one indication of how unhappy many people are with the state. The poll also found a staggering 84 percent of Illinois voters said the state was headed in the wrong direction while only 10 percent said it was on the right track. […]
The poll mirrors what the Gallup Poll found three years ago. Then 50 percent of Illinois residents said they would leave the state if they could. No other state ranked higher for would-be departures. Gallup also found in 2013 that 19 percent of residents said they were extremely, very or somewhat likely to move in the coming year.
* Oof…
* And somehow, some way, this horrific trendline has to be altered. If this was a person, we’d do an intervention…
Crosstabs are here.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:01 am:
This is Rauner’s “civics” lesson…
“Policy-makers argue over whether people are leaving or not,” Yepsen said. “The most troubling finding in this poll is that so many younger people are thinking about it. That’s the state’s future.”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:02 am:
The did the poll ask why they stay?
- Anon2U - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:07 am:
Because… Madigan!
- interesting - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:08 am:
I’m not surprised by these numbers. When the head of the state constantly says how bad Illinois is for people and about how awful a segment of the population (union workers), why would anyone want to stay? It’s an abusive relationship and eventually you try to leave.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:11 am:
Waiting for the Dem spin genuises (especially, OW) to assert this desire to exit is all Rauner’s fault.
- @MisterJayEm - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:11 am:
“did the poll ask why they stay?”
[checks crosstabs link]
Apparently not.
– MrJM
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:13 am:
=== Fifty- seven percent of millennials (under 35) want to leave the state===
Tell me again why I should stay here and pay for the services y’all received in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s without paying for them.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:13 am:
Many millions of dollars have been spent to persuade people that Illinois is a high tax state when the truth is far more complex and nuanced.
When compared to other rural states, Illinois may be a high tax state; when compared to other urban states, Illinois is a low tax state.
There are parallels to what Donald Trump said on Sunday about the US being a high tax nation.
== Donald Trump keeps saying the U.S. is the highest-taxed country in the world. He’s wrong, badly so, and it’s not just a trivial fact-checking dispute. ==
http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2016/10/10/donald-trump-says-the-u-s-is-a-high-tax-country-hes-wrong-so-what/
= = =
Q: Why do people say they want to leave Illinois?
A: Because millions of dollars are being spent on a propaganda campaign to convince people they should want to leave Illinois.
- weltschmerz - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:14 am:
We (66+) stay because we have family and friends here, usually of the same age. We are also old enough to remember the scummy political people and deals which have made this state a joke.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:16 am:
===Waiting for the Dem spin genuises (especially, OW) to assert this desire to exit is all Rauner’s fault.===
I’m not a Dem.
I’ve said numerous times, even having a discussion about it… I’d love to go to the Carolinas, or the North Texas “Metroplex”.
Use the search key.
Please stop being a victim. How about you wait and see what happens, or search…
To the Post,
Like I’ve stated many times, you ask me if I want to go, generically, heck yeah, get me to a golf community, in the Carolinas, preferably by Charleston, or if I can’t have that, DFW, yeah, ask me genetically, I’d move.
- Birdseed - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:19 am:
It took until the second post to blame Rauner. Baby steps…
“The poll mirrors what the Gallup Poll found three years ago.”
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:19 am:
So I guess we check back in a year to see if 20% of registered voters left. I’m guessing not.
Half of my high school buddies who never left my hometown swear they’re going to one of these days soon. As they have for more than 30 years.
- Secret Square - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:21 am:
The Gallup Poll from 3 years ago was a bit more informative. It asked respondents whether they thought their state was 1) the best state of all 50 to live in, 2) one of the best states, 3) “as good as any” or 4) one of the worst states.
If you classify #1 and #2 as “lovers” of their state and #4 as “haters”, IL was the ONLY state whose haters (25% rating it the worst state) outnumbered its lovers (3% rating it “best” and 16% as “one of the best”, total 19%). States with far harsher winters (ND, MN), equal or worse reputations for corruption (NJ, LA), and way suckier economies (MI, WV, MS) still had more lovers than haters. My guess is that the people who plan to stay are staying primarily to be close to friends and family; because they have a job they do not want to give up; or simply because moving would be too expensive or too drastic a change for them to handle.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:26 am:
It doesn’t mean people will be leaping like crazy to get to Illinois, but the devastation of catastrophic climate change and the coming water crisis will drive a number people our way. Of course, the Midwest weather will be just as wacky as weather everywhere else, just in a less dangerous sense.
- Scamp640 - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:27 am:
Understanding the tax burden issue is tough. Undoubtedly, Illinois has very high property taxes. I pay them. And I know that the Chicago Tribune and other media outlets say that the Illinois “tax burden” is in the top ten heaviest in the country. For example, the Tax Foundation says that the 2012 Illinois state and local tax burden is 5th highest in the country. BUT, its 2016 business tax climate is ranked #23.
http://taxfoundation.org/state-tax-climate/illinois
Apparently, Illinois is a reasonably business-friendly state. Based on political rhetoric from some corners, I thought we were the worst. Hmmm…
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:27 am:
===Because millions of dollars are being spent on a propaganda campaign to convince people===
Nobody was spending that kind of money 3 years ago when Gallup did its poll.
- Handle Bar Mustache - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:29 am:
==Nobody was spending that kind of money 3 years ago when Gallup did its poll.==
What about the ‘death spiral’ campaign?
IPI, Rauner for Gov and The Illinois Republicans were spending big on this message 3 years ago.
- 3 year plan - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:37 am:
Only staying right now due to work. My wife and I have a 3 year plan to exit this state. It’s not that Illinois is sooooo terrible, it’s just not where we want to live anymore. The property taxes go up on an annual basis, and for what gain? We have no children, and we didn’t create the financial mess that is the pension crisis.
So, we’ll put in our time, pay down the mortgage, invest in our educations, work hard at our jobs. And then we’ll leave. I don’t mind paying our taxes, but if you’re getting nothing out of the services, then why stay?
- Belle - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:46 am:
People have been saying this for many decades. Few people seem to act on it. Think of the influx to AZ?
For me, it would be the weather vs the political situation. You lose a lot in terms of relationships and the continuity of life. While we are originally from IL we’ve moved out of state for jobs (and end up coming back) so we have that familiarity of being lost in a new place.
Other than NYC, there is isn’t any place that compares with Chicago politics.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:46 am:
I like how some here assume people can’t make up their own minds about their personal circumstances and the health of this state, and can only do so when told by a TV ad.
- Anon - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:47 am:
===Many millions of dollars have been spent to persuade people that Illinois is a high tax state===
Speaking as a millennial, it’s not that I think the taxes are high. My primary concern is generational equity. With the federally taxed income tax subtraction the folks that benefited the most from the services that weren’t paid for get to run out on the check.
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:51 am:
My moves in the past were for education and work. Would still move for work.
We have strong ties here, and years to go before our children are settled. So I doubt we will move soon.
- wondering - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:52 am:
The Gallup poll begs the question about the recent poll. Why are they still here?
- Earnest - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 9:57 am:
I maintain the lack of a stable, balanced budget is the most negative thing about Illinois. The combination of service cuts and tax increases we’ll have to do will hurt, but it will be better than the ax hanging over our heads. I think both parties agree with me, because the campaign flyers are all focused on this issue and have nothing to do with child molestation accusations.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:01 am:
== I maintain the lack of a stable, balanced budget is the most negative thing about Illinois. ==
Spot on.
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Reminds me of some lyrics from the old Jimmy Durante song, “Did you ever have the feeling that you wanted to go, then have the feeling that you wanted to stay?”
I think most people stay because of family, work, and maybe the difficulty of selling their home for what it’s worth.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:03 am:
Bye Felicia
- Responsa - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:06 am:
The current outflow and apparent coming exit from our state should be a concern at least for those who want to stay. But it is what it is. Just as it’s silly to pretend that it’s not happening, it’s also silly to think that people all of a sudden decide to leave a state because of a governor or because of a “propaganda campaign”. People live where they live and decide to leave for very personal reasons such as –a job offer or hope of job— better suited climate for health –or other location preference such as ocean, mountains, year round golf, etc.
The day of an extended family hanging together for mutual support and camaraderie in their home turf is fading fast. As I am sure many others here were, I was raised in Illinois amid grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins all within easy driving distance. That rarely happens anymore. Other relevant influences have taken precedence for many families (including mine) and that makes them more mobile.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:08 am:
I stay because there’s money to be made here, especially in Chicago, the City that Works. I agree long term, NE IL may get a benefit from being close to Lake Michigan. There’s still a lot of water left in Lake Mead, for now, and the Colorado still flows, but it’s pretty stark to see how high the water was 40 years ago compared to now. I don’t know that the so-called “water crisis” will send people our way in this lifetime. Maybe the sun-belters will get smarter about conserving their resources.
- Anotheretiree - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:13 am:
I would like to move to cheeseland. For climate reasons, not because of political climate. The Armadillos moving north is nature clue its time to migrate also…
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:16 am:
I basically agree with Responsa @10:06am, with this corollary:
== It’s also silly to think that people *** decide to leave a state because of [Madigan] ==
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:18 am:
===The property taxes go up on an annual basis, and for what gain? We have no children, and we didn’t create the financial mess that is the pension crisis.===
Aw, I feel for you. When you move, you think having good schools nearby might help with the sale price?
I’ll leave this here, thanks.
- Cook County Commoner - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:18 am:
For a senior citizen to pack up, sell the house and leave family and friends is a monumental task. And then where do you go? Illinois is leading the pack on fiscal issues which are eating away at other states and local governments. Figuring out where to move without going from one bad situation to another is daunting.
But my local grammar school district of about 1500 households has me thinking about. A $45 million bond issue referenda on the ballot to build a new school? An $877 per year property tax increase if it passes with 67% of the vote?
Okay. It probably won’t pass. But it certainly sends a message of what this local government unit thinks about my private sector retiree fixed income.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:19 am:
Did they say when these people will be leaving? I’d like to know when to expect less congestion and traffic in the city. Soon I hope. It’s too crowded now.
- L.A. - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:42 am:
I’m pretty sure the crappy winters are the most negative thing about Illinois.
- 3 years - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:49 am:
===Aw, I feel for you. When you move, you think having good schools nearby might help with the sale price?
I’ll leave this here, thanks.===
$6,000 a year for “good schools.” Uh, that $6k is going to pay pension obligations, not really focusing in on educational instruction. Yeah, I’m sure a “good school” will help with re-sale value. So will local jobs, access to interstate, etc. Not everyone that buys a house cares about the school district–i.e. retired, DINKs, college students, couples who can’t have children.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:54 am:
Willy, we moved recently to North Dallas Metro. You will not regret it. Besides, we need some interesting commentary. Cmon down heah, heah?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:55 am:
===Yeah, I’m sure a “good school” will help with re-sale value.===
Really? That’s fun. Ask a realtor. Schools matter. Rankings matter.
===… not really focusing in on educational instruction.===
lol, how do you know, are you aware how the schools around you are ranked?
===Not everyone that buys a house cares about the school district–i.e. retired, DINKs, college students, couples who can’t have children.===
So you want to reduce the people that could buy your home? That’s not a sound strategy, lol
You’re really missing the whole “selling the house” positives.
I’m not concerned, you have three years to figure it out.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:58 am:
Love the Metroplex. Always a great time in DFW, and I have family down that way too. Lots to do, and offer to residents, and the weather is great…
Then there’s the Carolinas…
Who knows, a few years, but I love Illinois, and not compelled to move, but “if I could” in the Peter Pan questioning, I’d see you in the Metroplex!
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:00 am:
Tech disruption. Tech disruption. Tech disruption.
People who fail to wrap their heads around the enormity of this force will be condemned to feel its full effect. It’s not just a matter of whether people are leaving or not, it’s what people (jobs) are leaving vs. staying. The story of the Great Recession has been the replacement of good paying jobs with poor ones (or a combination of poor ones + “sharing economy” gigs).
As for school spending, it’s flip to say it’s per-se good or per-se bad (on student performance or property values). There’s research on when increased spending seems to have an effect and when it doesn’t. As noted by some, when the spending is to pay for already accrued pensions, that’s not likely to help performance of current students much. The rule of law ain’t cheap.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:04 am:
Illinois’ current unemployment rate is 5.5%. Full employment is defined as 5% unemployment rate.
So are we supposed to believe that the Illinois economy is good or bad right now?
- Doug - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:05 am:
1,000 people a day moving to Texas….huge companies moving their headquarters here with announcements every month.
Wasn’t that long ago on this blog that people were making fun of Rick Perry for his trips to Illinois, New York and California.
Only redeeming quality of Illinois is the sweet corn and the Cubs.
- Ron - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:12 am:
Let’s see, the fifth highest tax burden in the nation? Terrible return on those taxes. Why is anyone surprised by this?
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:22 am:
===I’m pretty sure the crappy winters are the most negative thing about Illinois. ===
This. If Chicago (and the lake) could be relocated to Southern Illinois where I grew up, I’d never leave. I probably won’t anyway because my career would be difficult to replicate elsewhere, but if I could replicate it, I’d be out pretty quick due to weather - North Carolina or Colorado. And I absolutely love Chicago.
Also, to Willy’s point on schools/prop value, we bought our house about 5 years ago by an emerging neighborhood school that is now one of the top rated in the city. Our property value has increased about double the rate of the neighborhoods around us.
- HRC2016 - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:27 am:
For all those who want to leave Illinois, LEAVE!
I was born and raised here and I love living in Illinois and truth be told, I will never leave Illinois. I always wanted to retire to a warmer climate, but I can always travel to warmer cities in the winter for a few weeks and then come home.
Seriously, if people really dislike living here, you should leave.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:30 am:
==For all those who want to leave Illinois, LEAVE!==
I’m sure those who are wavering will appreciate your blessing.
- Annonin' - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:42 am:
Then there’s the Carolinas…
A you get a free evac order can’t beat that
Too the pool…once again the data fails to ask which state the “too much tax” crew might head.
Usually pick one with higher or more taxes.
Also failed to ask if folks moved in and why
- Ron - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:46 am:
Illinois is losing population at a faster rate than any state but West Virginia.
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:46 am:
=For all those who want to leave Illinois, LEAVE!=
I remember a similar response about a year ago to this type of comment. My wife and I currently have mothers to care for. The day after the last mom is laid to rest, assuming I don’t go first, a “For Sale” will be posted on our front lawn.
- Ron O - now in Texas - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:48 am:
“For all those who want to leave Illinois, LEAVE!”
Those who can, and really want to, do just that.
But don’t act as if that is a positive… The people that can leave are often ones you really want to keep in the state, they are those that can afford to leave. It’s not cheap to move.
I left, and it was a 3 year program. Selling assets in Illinois, finding location to live in another state (First state, then city, then area in the city we wanted to live). Then the move itself is thousands of dollars and just headaches.
Then (for most people) they also have to deal with employment… Both spouses often have to quit and find new jobs in the new location.
But for folks like my family, that can afford that type of move, we were net payers. The type that bought newer cars, expanded on the house, etc, etc.
Weather was a factor (not huge)
Taxes (property, near 10% sales tax, etc) was a pain factor.
The looming debt and no answer politically that was just going to get worse.
I would just be careful. Those that you shake your fist and yell “LEAVE!” are actually those that Illinois wants to keep… Just sayin’
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:49 am:
===A you get a free evac order can’t beat that===
Yeah, the coast, the Carolinas, there that threat constantly.
Luckily people I’ve met there are all safe and facing minimal challenges right now. But, weather, dangerous weather, is a factor.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:51 am:
Friend in NW suburbs pays nearly 4% on the market value of her home in property taxes. I pay about 2%. The value of her home is exactly what she paid for it 22 years ago.
It’s not just the “fat cats” that are looking to leave. It’s anyone that understands basic economics.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:56 am:
I can’t imagine leaving. We’ll be one of the last places on earth to run out of drinkable water.
- Rhino Slider - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 11:57 am:
I hearby announce the “Clawback Initiative” where anyone who leaves Illinois is still responsible for their fair share of the pension obligations while they lived there.
Get on it Madigan.
- Ron O - now in Texas - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:04 pm:
Rhino Slider,
Ha!
you leave you must pay!
its like…. “Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels.”
- City Zen - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:09 pm:
Hmmm…the group that pays no state income taxes on their retirement income is the most likely to stay.
- Piece of Work - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:09 pm:
But hey, the state of Illinois ranks 23ed and we should raise a banner.
We need some here to shake their pom poms, touting the “We are average, stay in Illinois.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:23 pm:
===But hey, the state of Illinois ranks 23ed and we should raise a banner.
We need some here to shake their pom poms, touting the “We are average, stay in Illinois.”===
Since no one made that ridiculous argument here, and no one said they were pleased with how things are, even with Rauner as Governor, please try little less straw man, little more rational thought.
- Federalist - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:27 pm:
Interesting that TAXES is the No 1 reason to leave.
- lake county democrat - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:42 pm:
HRC2016 - are you volunteering to pay the difference in what they pay in taxes vs. the services they use up?
- Ron - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 12:46 pm:
Federalist, as Illinois has the fifth highest state and local tax burden in the nation. Very interesting indeed.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:08 pm:
I’d love to know why conservatives just love the “people are leaving” argument. Man it just gets them jacked up. They hop around like frogs on Georgia asphalt. Why is this?
- Federalist - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:08 pm:
@Ron,
“Illinois has the fifth highest state and local tax burden in the nation. Very interesting indeed.”
Yep, that is the huge factor. Even in rural poorer areas of Illinois the property taxes are very high. And when the big slump of 2008-2010 occurred- well that still has not been factored in as the taxes are still higher.
- Red Ranger - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
I stay for deep connections to family, friends and work, plus most of the Chicagoland area is one of the most “liveabe” areas for a very large metro area in the country. Sure I’d love to live in a place with a warmer climate, and climate is a one of the reasons people leave. But what really angers me the most (and makes me think about leaving) is that nearly all of the taxes that have recently increased or will soon increase once again wont benefit me or my family. The new taxes go to pay for past failures of government or programs we’ll never use. This upsets me because I know there are others places where this isn’t the case or they are actually cutting taxes.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:26 pm:
To the post. I love Illinois. I even loved my nearly six year stay in the Windy City. Four distinct seasons. Boone and Crockett whitetails. Ducks,geese, quail, pheasant, bunnies, doves, squirrels. And to think we used to have Oreos….
.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
As an interstate immigrant, when the general griping over taxes is fully examined, it is the weather that drives people away.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-confidential-snow-population-drop-1218-biz-20141217-column.html
My extended family in CA say were it NOT for the weather they’d prefer Illinois’ lower relative property values / higher property taxes than CA’s obscenely high property values / Prop 13 low property taxes. Warren Buffet got run out of CA for making this observation: “Citing personal experience, the Omaha-based investor noted that he pays considerably more taxes on his house in Nebraska — valued at roughly $500,000 — than a $4-million second home he owns in Laguna Beach.”
http://articles.latimes.com/2003/aug/16/local/me-recall16
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
The fact of the matter is people are leaving. The people are sick of the property taxes, regulations, CORRUPTION and layers of gov employees so thick as to smother any private sector employee with disgust with all the patronage hiring and shovel leaners everywhere. Let’s not talk about the teachers making 2.5 times more then the average taxpayer striking for a more, more. So glad I left Illinois and so has all of my family and most friends. Illinois is a sinking ship, the wealthy are leaving.
- Slipping Jimmy - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:54 pm:
Wait until a future hurricane Matthew dumps 40″ of rain in Tampa Bay Area- they’ll be NB!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 1:59 pm:
I think you question should include:
Do you want to leave IL for the winter or do their want to leave permanently?
What is your main reason for moving?
1. To be closer to family, or
2. Better weather, or
3. Don’t want to pay income taxes
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 2:01 pm:
Add #4 - Better or more jobs
- foster brooks - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 7:06 pm:
How many in madigans ward want to move out of Illinois?
- Railrat - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 7:22 pm:
I think everyone has a pancia for local , Illinois is disfunctionsl we have assumed corruption, a city that is one of the shining spots of the world that is under siege by gangs , reasons to be argued for days, but , when you want to move , where are there better health care facilities? we rank among the best in surgeons and practitioners! our labor force, albeit maybe dominated by unions( which ain’t bad) is among the best in the nation ! Education ? okay I won’t touch that one , you scholars have at it, we have all the necessary resources water aggregate rail transportation airlines distribution access, so yes we are over taxed we have corruption (maybe) but replace the checklist of pluses vs. other perfect places ! Good luck! When people decide to vote Illinois will change . No ?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 7:36 pm:
Railrat, give up the keys, enjoy the game, then call a cab when it’s over.
- striketoo - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 7:49 pm:
Long term, what Precinct Captain said is true. Illinois is well above sea level and we have abundant water resources that will likely survive climate change. Sea level rise will devastate coastal areas and drought will hit the west hard and make living in those areas extremely expensive. Tens of millions of people currently living in those areas and will be forced to relocate. The question is can we get our fiscal house in good enough order to take advantage of our increasing attractiveness.
- Red tower - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:00 pm:
Of course I want to leave the state but only because it is part of the country I want to leave. I want to go somewhere where health care is a universal right that, and even if the Donald loses in November his followers will still be here and they are frankly dangerous.
- Tom K. - Tuesday, Oct 11, 16 @ 10:28 pm:
Striketoo, The Great Lakes are a great asset, that’s true. But IL hardly has a monopoly on them, just look at the comparative shorlines of WI and MI (and Canada!). And, if AZ and CA do go into long-term drought, where will you get fruit and vegetables from? Most of the water they receive is turned into foodstuff and shipped all over the world.
To the poll, I’m retiring as fast as I can, and will make the decision to stay or go when the time comes. But at this moment, it looks like the “Welcome to Illinois” sign is going to appear one last time in my rear-view mirror, and the foundation for this decision has been poured over the past fifteen years, not the last two.
Interestingly, the one thing that may keep those wanting to move out from doing so, is the inability to sell their home. IL’s dysfunction may actually slow the coming exodus.