* Local 150 of the Operating Engineers International Union commissioned a poll of 600 likely Illinois Republican Party primary voters by Anzalone Liszt Grove Research, which is a Democratic pollster. The poll was taken January 4-8 and has a margin of error of +/-4.0 percent. 45 percent of respondents were reached on their mobile phones.

From the pollster…

• Primary voters are net favorable towards labor unions. A plurality of voters are favorable towards labor unions (46% favorable / 40% unfavorable), driven by stronger support Downstate (49% favorable / 35% unfavorable). This includes many self- described conservatives (41% favorable / 47% unfavorable) who are 61% of GOP primary voters as well as moderates (54% favorable / 31% unfavorable) who make up almost all of the rest (34% of GOP primary voters).

• Support for labor unions is correlated with GOP dislike of Bruce Rauner. Bruce Rauner receives almost unanimous support from the roughly half of GOP primary voters who dislike labor unions (83% favorable / 12% unfavorable), but the half who is favorable towards unions is less positive towards the Governor (68% favorable / 26% unfavorable).

• GOP primary voters hold many pro-labor positions in opposition to the Governor. As with support for unions generally, support for the pro-labor position correlates with personal unfavorability towards Bruce Rauner. […]

• GOP primary voters also support increased spending on infrastructure and anti- outsourcing laws. We have seen similar levels of support for both policies statewide and among Democrats, though these numbers seem to have increased among Republicans since Donald Trump’s nomination and election.

* Questions and answers…

Now, I’d like to ask you your impressions of some people active in politics. As I read each one, just tell me whether you have a very favorable opinion, a somewhat favorable opinion, a somewhat unfavorable opinion, or a very unfavorable opinion of each. If you don’t recognize them, just say so. Here is the first one…

Bruce Rauner

Favorable 75% (Very 37%)
Unfavorable 18% (Very 10%)
Can’t rate 7%

Labor unions

Favorable 46% (Very 13%)
Unfavorable 40% (Very 20%)
Can’t rate 14%

Now I’m going to ask you about some policies. Please tell me, for each one, whether you favor or oppose them.

Ending all labor union membership in Illinois

Favor 28% (Strongly 15%)
Oppose 62% (Strongly 36%)
Don’t know 10%

Prevailing wage laws, which mean anyone getting a taxpayer funded contract has to pay their workers at least the average local wage for their job

Favor 76% (Strongly 49%)
Oppose 18% (Strongly 8%)
Don’t know 6%

Ending the right of unions to collectively bargain for pay, benefits, and safety requirements

Favor 36% (Strongly 20%)
Oppose 53% (Strongly 29%)
Don’t know 11%

Increasing spending on roads, bridges, and bridge safety in Illinois

Favor 80% (Strongly 46%)
Oppose 14% (Strongly 5%)
Don’t know 6%

An anti-outsourcing law that would prohibit companies who ship jobs out of Illinois from getting taxpayer funded contracts

Favor 69% (Strongly 49%)
Oppose 23% (Strongly 13%)
Don’t know

That prevailing wage question is a bit on the biased side, but it’s not a bad poll overall.

* Methodology…

The following findings are based on a poll of n=600 likely Illinois primary-election voters, defined as having voted in at least one of the past four statewide Republican primaries (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016) and saying they are likely to vote in a 2018 Republican primary election. Respondents were contacted via landline and cellphone. The expected margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level is +4.0% and higher for subgroups.