* As I told subscribers this morning, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute has a released a poll of southern Illinois voters…

For the first time, a poll has been conducted solely of Southern Illinois residents, showing how people in the region feel about many important issues. And the general consensus is they don’t feel good.

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute released on Tuesday the first results of the Southern Illinois Poll, which focuses on an 18-county region spanning the southern part of the state. It is the first such poll conducted on a local level by the institute. […]

“I’m struck by what a bad mood people are in,” said institute Director David Yepsen said. “People think things are headed in the wrong direction in the country, overwhelmingly so in the state, and it’s pretty clear to me that people of Southern Illinois are in a bad mood.”

Toplines are here.

The counties polled…

Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Washington, White and Williamson

* Some questions…

The election for Governor of Illinois… if the election were held today, would you vote for…
Quinn 25.4%
Brady 48.6%
Whitney 5.2%
Someone else 1.5%
Other/Don’t know 19.2%

Next, the election for the US Senator from Illinois… if the election were held today, would you vote for…
Giannoulias 24.7%
Kirk 42.1%
Jones 4.5%
Someone else 3.0%
Other/Don’t know 25.7%

Those who thought that Kirk wouldn’t do well in the deep south may be in for a surprise.

* Approval ratings…

Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Mike Madigan
Strongly approve 3.2%
Somewhat approve 20.2%
Somewhat disapprove 15.5%
Strongly disapprove 23.2%
Other/Don’t know 37.9%

President Barack Obama.
Strongly approve 17.5%
Somewhat approve 19.2%
Somewhat disapprove 14.0%
Strongly disapprove 45.6%
Other/Don’t know 3.7%

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Strongly approve 3.7%
Somewhat approve 27.2%
Somewhat disapprove 25.2%
Strongly disapprove 29.4%
Other/Don’t know 14.5%

While 38 percent don’t know enough about Madigan to rate him, his disapproval numbers are certainly ominous for his candidates.

* Right track, wrong track…

Generally speaking, do you think things in our country are going in the right direction, or are they off track and heading in the wrong direction?
Right direction 22.7%
Wrong direction 69.8%
Other/Don’t know 7.5%

And what about the direction of the State of Illinois?
Right direction 6.5%
Wrong direction 85.3%
Other/Don’t know 8.2%

And how are things going in your city or area of the state?
Right direction 47.6%
Wrong direction 41.9%
Other/Don’t know 10.5%

Regardless of what you think about the direction in your part of the state, tell us what you think about the overall quality of life in your area.
Excellent 4.5%
Good 31.9%
Average 35.9%
Not so good 18.5%
Poor 9.2%

Translation: The direction of the country sucks, the direction of the state sucks way more, but we’re more positive on the direction of southern Illinois and find it a decent place to live.

* Party ID…

Strong Democratic 14.2%
Not-strong Democratic 14.5%
Independent-Democratic 5.2%
Pure Independent 7.7%
Independent-Republican 14.5%
Not-strong Republican 16.2% Strong Republican 16.7%
Other/Don’t know 11.0%

* Also, 53 percent say the new national health insurance law is a “bad thing,” while just 27 percent say it’s a “good thing.” 55 percent identify as conservatives, 24 percent say they’re moderates and 18 percent say they’re liberals.

* Details…

The poll of 401 registered voters in the area was taken April 5 to 13 and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent. The poll was conducted for the Institute by Customer Research International of San Marcos, Texas. It reports no Illinois political figures as clients and was paid with non-tax dollars from the Institute’s endowment fund.

* Your thoughts?