* Reboot Illinois has more poll results…

“As you may know, in 2011 Illinois lawmakers passed a temporary income tax hike that raised our tax rate to five percent. That increase expires this year, and if lawmakers do nothing, the rate will drop to 3.75 percent. We’d like to know what you think would be the responsible thing for lawmakers to do…let the rate drop, or keep it at the current rate.”

So, of course 65 percent of respondents are gonna say let it expire. I’m surprised it’s that low, considering the way Reboot worded the question…

When divided by region of the state, the poll showed the majority of voters in Chicago, suburban Cook County, the collar counties and downstate all favor letting the tax rate fall. In Chicago, 56 percent of respondents want the income tax to decline as scheduled. The number rises along with respondents’ distance from Chicago: 64 percent in suburban Cook County, 67 percent in the collar counties and 71 percent downstate.

* Another question…

“Illinois is facing a multi-billion dollar debt and payment backlog. Which of the following options do you think is the best way to fix that problem?”

55 percent said “cut spending,” 11 percent said “more gambling” 7 percent said “raise taxes” and 14 percent said “all of the above.”

Again, no surprise considering how the question was worded.

* Another question…

“Finally, if the state cuts spending, which of the following programs do you think should be cut first?”

Just 11 percent said education or public safety should be first. 32 percent said natural resource programs should be the first to cut. Only nine percent said assistance to the poor should be cut. Less than 2 percent said assistance to the elderly should be the first area cut. And 36 percent said “public worker retirement income” ought to be the first to go.

So other than pension income, respondents generally wanted to protect the most high-dollar state costs - education, public safety, assistance to the poor and elderly (think: Medicaid), and want to cut natural resource programs, which don’t amount to a hill of beans.

But there has clearly been a shift against public retirees if their income is number one on the public’s hit list. Beware out there.

Still, it’s kind of a silly way to word a question, but whatever.