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A new campaign tool?

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Illinois

* The Illinois Department of Employment Security has a new web page where you can look at unemployment data by congressional and state legislative districts. I’ve just started playing with it, but it’s pretty darned cool and I’m sure it’ll be used by some campaigns this year.

Go check it out and tell us what you find, and how you think the data will be used.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 9:48 am

Comments

Coincidentally, I was just thinking that a tool that showed per capita IDES spending by county, CD, SD and RD would be awesome.

Look forward to checking out the new app.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 9:59 am
Plays well for rural downstate districts with state facilities doesn’t it?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 10:02 am
Some interesting scaling on the graphs… A 3% change in one number at one I looked at 72% vs 75% and the 72% graph was about half the size of 75%.

Data is useful, the graphs are self serving.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 10:24 am
Look at this one…
http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Custom/Library/Statistic/LegDashboard/State/statewide.pdf

Where the number is ‘good’ for the state this year vs last there is a huge difference in the size of the bars. (New Claimants)

Where the difference is neutral or negative for the state the bars are almost the exact same size (duration)

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 10:28 am
I agree with YDD that the bar graphs appear way out of proportion particularly the new claims 3% change. I’m sure its a scaling issue since there is no 100% benchmark, but DES should adjust it nonetheless.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 10:35 am
I agree with YDD…

I think you misspelled oneman

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 10:40 am
Taking all of these factors of the data, the technology, and the campaigns … who would this benefit …

Challengers.

Either Party.

With the few toss-up districts, it can make a huge difference … for the challengers.

But can the HGOP and SGOP make that leap to use this info? Dunno yet. Like to see it used, but that might be a big “ask”.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 11:51 am
The House files are just the Senate file repeated. They’re not actually split out by House districts.

And, are these the new Congressional and legislative districts or the old? No way to tell for sure.

Comment by G. Willickers Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 11:55 am
I partially correct myself. There is a note on the webpage saying it’s the 2013 districts.

My comment re the House districts not being split out from the Senate districts remains.

Comment by G. Willickers Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 11:57 am
I agree with OneMan

- Commonsense in Illinois

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 12:02 pm
Agree with OneMan. Why are the columns in the graphs so disproportionate? Did IDES offer any explanation?

Comment by Sideliner Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 12:58 pm
Bar graphs are generated by some software that is designed to put the bottom of the bar as high as possible, e.g., if the two values are 65 and 70 the bottom value is 60. It should really show the zero value but that’s a programming decision. I doubt there’s any skullduggery involved.

Comment by DuPage Dave Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 8:11 pm
What’s with using the new districts? There’s plenty to be debated NOW with the current lawmakers who still have a veto and lameduck session to get through before those future districts and future policy decisions are made.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Tuesday, Aug 14, 12 @ 11:05 pm