*** UPDATE *** From AFSCME’s Anders Lindall…

This poll’s one-sided wording should cause thoughtful observers of all stripes to discount its results. Only on the fair share question are opposing views accurately presented, and there, tellingly, Illinois voters support workers against the governor’s attacks by 60-33.

Ouch.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* We Ask America live interview poll taken March 9 of 500 registered voters. Commissioned by the Illinois Manufacturers Association.

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s job approval rating…

Approve 32.67%
Disapprove 33.72%
Undecided 33.61%

* Despite those horrible approval numbers, the poll has some good news for the governor…

Gov. Rauner has been a staunch opponent to the amount of power that labor unions that represent state workers hold. Do you agree or disagree that those public-sector unions are too powerful?

Agree 49.80%
Disagree 38.80%
Undecided 11.40%

In your opinion, should public sector unions be able to make campaign contributions to the elected officials that negotiate their contracts?

Yes 27.80%
No 63.80%
Undecided 8.40%

Gov. Rauner has suggested empowering local voters to make decisions on a variety of issues affecting the economy. I’m going to ask you about several of these proposals to get your opinion. For example, Governor Rauner would allow Illinois communities where unemployment recovery is lagging behind to create local empowerment zones where employees are NOT required to join any union…a system often referred to as “right to work.” Indiana, Michigan and now Wisconsin have right to work laws. Do you think that’s a good idea, or a bad idea to allow economically depressed area in Illinois to have this ability to attract companies by not requiring union membership?

Good idea 59.40%
Bad idea 31.80%
Undecided 8.80%

Today, all union members are required to pay “fair share” union dues that cost about $500 per year. Governor Rauner believes that individual employees should be able to decide whether or not to pay union dues. Labor unions believe that all employees in a union should be required to pay dues since they benefit from collective bargaining agreements. We’d like to know your opinion on that.

All should pay 60.60%
Not all should pay 33.20%
Undecided 6.20%

His labor message is apparently fairly well received, except for the fair share stuff.

* Budget stuff…

According to Gov. Rauner, the State of Illinois has been spending too much money over the past decade and therefore must make drastic across-the-board cuts to the state budget everywhere except education. Do you agree, or disagree that the state has been spending too much money for the last decade?

Agree 79.80%
Disagree 12.60%
Undecided 7.60%

Do you think the State can afford to continue spending at the current rate?

Yes 39.68%
No 41.27%
Undecided 19.05%

Do you think the best way to deal with the budget shortfall is make drastic cuts or raise taxes?

Cuts 52.20%
Taxes 16.60%
Combination 16.60%
Undecided 14.60%

If you believe that taxes should be raised, in your opinion what is the best way to increase revenue?

Sales tax 6.02%
General income tax hike 7.83%
Millionaire tax 60.24%
All of these 12.05%
None of these 10.24%
Undecided 3.61%

Governor Rauner proposed freezing property taxes and allowing local governments to raise property taxes ONLY if approved by voters at a local election. While some taxpayer groups have applauded this approach, school districts and taxing bodies have expressed concern that this will impact their ability to generate revenue. Do you support, or oppose freezing property taxes unless the voters approve an increase?

Support 68.80%
Oppose 22.40%
Undecided 8.80%

* More issues…

We’d like to know if you think that Illinois should do what other states do and pay only standard rates to doctors and hospitals for injured workers.

Yes 76.60%
No 10.80%
Undecided 12.60%

 
Also on this same subject, unlike other states, Illinois allows workers with pre-existing conditions to claim workers compensation status when they claim that pre-existing condition impedes their current work. Do you think Illinois should–like other states–take into account THE CAUSE of the injury…and not just the fact that the person has a job therefore it gets put into the workers’ comp classification?

Yes 73.20%
No 13.20%
Undecided 13.60%

* And, finally…

Governor Rauner supports terms limits and believes that voters should determine whether Illinois has term limits for elected officials. Do you support or oppose term limits?

Support 81.60%
Oppose 14.20%
Undecided 4.20%

Both the Illinois governor’s office and the General Assembly have been under control of the Democratic Party for more than a decade. What kind of grade would you give the Democrats during that timeframe?

A 5.40%
B 16.40%
C 29.40%
D 20.40%
F 23.40%
Undecided 5.00%

44 percent give the Dems a D or F. Sounds about right, considering.

Crosstabs are here.