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Poll finds over third of southern Illinoisans impacted by state gridlock

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* From the Simon Institute…

More than a third of southern Illinois voters (37.4 percent) say either they or someone in their immediate families have been affected by the current Illinois budget stalemate, according to a poll by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Another 56.6 percent said they have not been touched by it.

Among all southern Illinois voters, the largest group (10.0 percent) said they had experienced a job loss or threatened job loss from the budget impasse. The next largest group of responses were from those who said they had been affected by healthcare and health insurance cuts (3.7 percent). Also, there were 3.2 percent who said they had experienced social service cuts; 2.7 percent who said their city governments had experienced cuts; 2.5 percent who said they had experienced changes in child care costs or services, and 2.0 percent who said their impact had been through higher education cuts.

The remainder of the impacts of the budget conflict included a range of volunteered responses, which included impacts on the local economy (1.2 percent), cuts to utility assistance programs (1.0 percent), and mental health care (0.7 percent).

The poll of registered voters in 18 counties south of Interstate 64 was taken September 22-October 2. The survey was based on a random sample of 401 registered voters who responded to telephone interviews. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. Thirty percent of the sample were cell phone users.

In the open-ended comments, respondents volunteered such specific answers as their family had to relocate because of loss of a state job, their health care had been adversely affected, respondent’s husband was on disability and now can’t get it, loss of meals for shut-ins, delayed payments on dental services, doctors want their payments up front now, proposed closing of the Hardin County Work Camp, and other generalized negative consequences.

“These responses show clearly that what’s happening—or not happening—in Springfield is having a direct impact on a lot of people’s lives in southern Illinois” noted John S. Jackson, a visiting professor at the Paul Simon Institute and one of the designers of this poll. “Decision-makers need to consider that their inaction is causing very specific harm, which people notice, and the negative effects are accelerating as time goes by” Jackson added.

But David Yepsen, director of the Institute, said “maybe one reason nothing’s happening in Springfield is that a lot of voters don’t feel the effect of this stalemate. Most people don’t work for a government. Most people don’t rely on safety net programs like day care or health care. If they did, perhaps the logjam would break because political leaders would be feeling more heat.”

“It’s also true some people might not feel it because the state is still spending money without a budget,” Yepsen said. “Schools, for example, did get an appropriation. Other spending is directed by court-orders.”

* The accompanying chart…

There’s more to this poll and we’ll get to it in a bit.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:17 am

Comments

“We got the pain we wanted… now, let’s leverage that pain… and blame the Democrats and Madigan for it. The plan is working perfectly” - Fake Rauner Superstar.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:20 am
The majority of voters are not experiencing pain from the budget stalemate. Until people realize how they will be affected after the budget is finally approved, there is no anger. Too many people only get involved when they are directly affected. It would be a smart move to examine in detail how other states that have the policies that the governor wants have fared. If more people would look into the results of his Turnaround Agenda, there would be a great deal more anger in voters’ minds.

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:39 am
“I apologize. We may have to go through rough times…Sort of have to do a do-over and shut things down for a little while. That’s what we’re gonna do.” - Bruce Rauner, Candidate for Governor.

https://capitolfax.com/2014/08/04/shooting-for-viral/

@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate.

“Crisis creates opportunity. Crisis creates leverage to change … and we’ve got to use that leverage of the crisis to force structural change,” said Rauner, borrowing from a political philosophy famously coined by his friend Rahm Emanuel that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”

https://capitolfax.com/2015/07/21/pot-blames-kettle-for-the-stove/

Governor Rauner has said that pain is worth it…

Pain, in this instance, is a choice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:41 am
To the people that voted for Rauner and his Shake Up Springfield mantra……..How are you liking him now?

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:41 am
Oswego Willy, we down here in Southern Illinois realize things were messed up before Brucie got the Governor’s chair. Pat Quinn closed down Tamms and tried to close state facilities in Chester. Anything to distract us from the pension albatross, which is on both parties.

So to say it’s on one party, guess what, you’re doing the same thing as Brucie. Remove Brucie and you still have half the problem in place. The Assembly can pass their own budget and dare Brucie to veto or fold. Why not take that action?

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:42 am
===Pat Quinn closed down Tamms and tried to close state facilities in Chester.===

“Pat Quinn” eh? Governor Pat Quinn?

See, even you know…

Governors Own. They always do. Thanks for reminding.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:45 am
A good friend of mine was involved in the U.S. House GOP Takeover in 1994 (I forgive him). He tells a story about one night some of the legislative leaders and their staff were working late and drinking some, when one of the interns put Too Much Joy’s “Theme Song” on the CD player. He claims by the end of it, they were all singing in unison the song’s refrain:

“To create, you must destroy.”

That’s how these people think. It’s how all true believers — left and right — think. And it’s what makes them really, really dangerous.

Comment by Sam Weinberg Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:47 am
Well said Willy!! He told us that he will shut down the state to get what he wants, if he has to. He is doing just that. I never thought I’d be saying, Thank God for Mike Madigan. But I am.

Comment by Big Joe Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:47 am
So thankful for the Simon Institute for giving voice to this. I hope people will take this seriously.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:48 am
We probably need to see things like major SIU program closures for the spring semester or hospital refusal of services to state employees (due to the suspension of provider payments) before we are going to see “sufficient” pain.

Comment by chad Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:49 am
Many counties, cities and townships rely on MFT monthly income. Most do not have reserves. If he keeps withholding MFT, more people will feel the pain.

Comment by pool boy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:52 am
The governor was put into office but his right to work agenda was not up front. He was not elected by a mandate to bust unions and right to work. Those elected in our legislature are not giving in to Rauners demands because that’s not what their constituents want. Is there some legal move that would get this dictator off his one-man obsession (ideally, his throne)? Clearly, it’s not wanted here in Illinois but this singular person is behaving like a child throwing a tantrum. There has to be something (besides hurting his own citizens) that can be done.

Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 8:53 am
If downstate communities are heavily affected by the closure of state facilities, they have a bigger problem than a temporarily delayed state budget. If you spend time in the rural Midwest, as I do, you know what I mean. In some of the little towns I drive through, the only decent buildings are the police station, the library,
and the town hall-all built with govt funds, plus the occasional bank.

Those facilities are going to keep closing. Even Hillary Clinton, hardly a radical, has started talking about the awful consequences of mass incarceration. Anybody who sees a future of rural America being sustained by huge state hospitals and penal institutions and government jobs and government cash infusions is not facing reality.

Comment by Cassandra Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:03 am
Oops. Apologies. I only meant to hightlight the not until January portion of the comment.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:10 am
AnonOne: I think Rauner has a broader mandate than that. He really was elected with an general mandate to make significant, fundamental changes. I think the broad management and conditions of state employment (unions, etc.) is fair game. He has chosen the toughest lift, and I think he still has enough of that mandate among his supporting voters. He needs to produce though.

Comment by chad Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:10 am
Oswego, the “Governors own” is a cute trick if we lived in a state where the governor had more power. We don’t.

The Governor submitted his budget, flawed as it was, and the Legislature rejected it because of its inherent flaws.

Now the Legislature could pass their own budget. They haven’t. Here we stand. Maybe the Democrats could provide leadership here, I wish they would. Maybe they could be Democrats and shift tax burden off the middle class and on to higher earners. Wouldn’t it be nice?

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:10 am
Well said Cassandra. My family went for a long winding drive through rural Illinois on the way back from my daughters cross country meet. You are spot on. The city hall, the library, the bank and a few shops here and there. But a lot of decay, a lot of vacant buildings, a lot of once great old houses. There was one old victorian in Roodhouse, I think, that looked just like the Adams family house, run down and spooky. So sad. The devastation being wraught could be irreversable. So so sad.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:13 am
Cassandra, you have any ideas for sustainable rural economic development that don’t involve mass incarceration? I’m all ears here.

I’d be all for less people in prison, seeing the consequences of it every day living in one of those towns. What happens here is hardly humane.

Comment by Southern Illinois Hoopdee Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:13 am
Cassandra, the devastation rural America has faced is in large part to the policies that benefit large corporations and encourage offshoring of jobs. You might recall recent efforts to encourage US corporations to return to this country, but those efforts were opposed by the people who benefit the most from the decimation of middle America.

Comment by Dilemma Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:17 am
I grew up in central Illinois. I lived in southern Illinois for a few years. I’ve campaigned in the southern Illinois for well over a decade.

Those areas just can’t retain talent and young people. People don’t want to move there. I’m guessing - and speaking from some experience - that a lot of this dynamic is due to belief systems and a general way of life. Proximity to bigger, more vibrant areas is another issue. Sure, you have the kids who stick around into adulthood because they want to make a difference and because they don’t want to leave family. But a lot of my friends from back home and a lot of people I’ve met from southern Illinois have essentially “fled” and only return for holidays, events, funerals, etc. There’s truth and truisms behind the premise of the movie “Just Friends”. Watch it if you want a good laugh and an opportunity to subliminally think about the concept of youth and talent flight.

All of that goes into consideration when businesses are looking to expand or plunk down a new development/office in an area. What are the demographics? What is the education level? What is the tolerance level? Are there enough qualified workers within a certain radius? If the answer to those questions is “not much” or “not many”, then there’s part of the answer.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:26 am
One more

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150630/NEWS02/150639995/rauner-government-shutdown-worth-the-pain-if-it-leads-to-a-fix

(AP) — A budget standoff that could interrupt some state services beginning Wednesday is worth the pain if it yields fundamental business and political changes in Illinois, Gov. Bruce Rauner says.

===…the “Governors own” is a cute trick if we lived in a state where the governor had more power. We don’t.===

1) ‘Nember, you ‘nember when Candidate Rauner used that very same “trick” in the last debate, starting every response; Pat Quinn failed? ‘Nember that? That was awesome.

It ain’t a trick, been that way forever, will be this way well after Rauner. Governors own.

2) What, one of the most strongly crafted, constitutionally empowered State Executive (Illinois’ Governor), now you feel this Office is “powerless” to this all? Rauner is a victim of him winning?

===Now the Legislature could pass their own budget. They haven’t. ===

The Legislature passed a budget, Rauner vetoed it all but the K-12 Approp. That’s a governor. Choosing.

===Maybe the Democrats could provide leadership here, I wish they would. Maybe they could be Democrats and shift tax burden off the middle class and on to higher earners. Wouldn’t it be nice?===

If you want to concede that Bruce Rauner is incapable of crafting a budget to fund his own agencies and put forth an economic plan in those agencies for his own Administration, and that the Democrats must do it for him because Rauner lacks, and by lacking will not veto this budget to aid the failing Governor Rauner, if you concede this in its entirety, then let the Democrats take over the Executive Agencies, set policy, make monetary commitments, and set value to Rauner’s Government, ok, sure.

(Tips cap to - Big Joe -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:28 am
@8:42 a.m.: “The Assembly can pass their own budget and dare Brucie to veto or fold. Why not take that action?”

They already did. Brucie vetoed.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:46 am
And right on que is OW with the “Governors own” stale line. It’s taken years to get into the mess we are in and we all know it. To say that the current state issues belong to a Governor who has been on the job 9 months is daft. What does Madigan own for his 40 plus years in Springfield? Get to the Bristol Tap and ask the common man who is to blame for the mess we are in would ya?

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:50 am
=== And right on que is OW with the “Governors own” stale line. ===

Repetition is necessary to help educate people. Then again, there are some who will never get it.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:57 am
===And right on que is OW with the “Governors own” stale line.===

As others point to Quinn owning… lol. We’ll revisit your “line”…

===It’s taken years to get into the mess we are in and we all know it.===

“Pat Quinn failed…” - Rauner blamed a governor…see how this all works, LOL

===To say that the current state issues belong to a Governor who has been on the job 9 months is daft.===

Governors own Budgets. Where’s Rauner’s budget? Being held hostage, by Rauner. Hit any link I provided. You’re welcome.

===What does Madigan own for his 40 plus years in Springfield?===

How delicious, “Fire Madigan, 2.0″. Do yourself a solid, include all the GOP governors too, and don’t forget Pate and Lee…

===Get to the Bristol Tap and ask the common man who is to blame for the mess we are in would ya?===

I read Kass, accidentally, he’s cornered the market on the faux “common man” stchick.

You told me, though, especially with that “40 years of Madigan”…

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 9:58 am
This is a political blog.

OW’s refrain of “Governors own” is a reminder of what the bulk of voters come to believe — the political reality — regardless of what insiders and informed analysts might conclude.

Comment by walker Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:03 am
OW,
You are so set in your ways it’s kinda sad. Rauner presented a budget, yes a goofy one, but he fulfilled his obligation. The GA, run by the guy that has been there 40 years, has not met their constitutional requirements and MJM admits it. Pass a constitutional budget? Nope. But we have a spending plan! Agree on a revenue number as they have in the past? No sir. The judicial branch will tell us what to spend regardless of revenue!
Free your mind man. Rauner is far from perfect but laying the blame on him just defies logic.

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:13 am
===Rauner is far from perfect but laying the blame on him just defies logic.===

Governors own. Not my rule.

If Rauner didn’t believe it, why did he make Quinn wear the jacket?

If Rauner didn’t believe it, why spend $2 million to try to “Blame Madigan”?

That was… $2 million… to try to change what everyone already knows.

Governors own. Bruce Rauner has failed.

Not my rules. Sorry.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:21 am
Careful what you wish for. You might get it — and hard.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:22 am
- Wordslinger -,

I hope you saw my response to your very gracious response on the Catholic post.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:25 am
=Governors own. Bruce Rauner has failed.

Not my rules. Sorry.=

Well, there you have it. The all-knowing OW has spoken. Rauner might as well throw in the towel, declare Madigan the winner and the entire state the loser.

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:30 am
=== Rauner might as well throw in the towel, declare Madigan the winner and the entire state the loser.===

lol, I’m not making Rauner a victim, you’re doing that all by yourself.

You do know, Governors also own all the good… You do realize it works both way… Right?

Victims never see how owning helps…

I guess if you only think “blame” and “victimhood”, thinking about leading is not even possible. That’s on victimhood purveyors.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:38 am
Rauner’s meme is Madigan at fault. Madigan has led only one-half of one-third of state goverment for so long because Madigan has a prime directive: keep the Democratic majority in the House. That is it. That is what Rauner is up against. For Pete’s sake, Governor, get a clue and hovetn will you?!

Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:40 am
Or govern. Oops

Comment by My New Handle Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 10:41 am
What about the “there’s more to this poll” bit? Are the numbers wrong?

Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 11:12 am
Ugh! I get so tired of the “Poor Bruce!” refrain.

Bruce AND Mike proposed budgets that required revenue. Bruce vetoed Mike’s, but has yet to find someone (ANYONE!) to put forth a budget or, god forbid, suggest a tax hike. Unless Bruce gives the GA some direction (outside of this Turnaround nonsense) or suggest raising taxes, what’s Mike’s motivation to propose a budget?

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 11:14 am
==Rauner is far from perfect but laying the blame on him just defies logic.==

And absolving him of any blame also defies logic.

You really have to stop playing the victim all the time.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 11:48 am
What did they consider as southern Illinois for this poll?

Comment by #freedumb Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 11:49 am
18 counties south of I-64

Comment by Slippin' Jimmy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 11:55 am
Honeybear - I don’t disagree that there is a lot of poverty in southern Illinois, but I’ll stay in my little rural county. I’m someone who got very lost in Chicago on my first visit last year and there are probably more boarded up houses and collapsing buildings on just a few streets than all of the 18 counties south of 64!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Hi! Victim here.
I’m a victim of failed leadership in Springfield, failed for decades. I’m a victim of Madigan, Cullerton, Quinn, Blago, Thompson, Ryan, Edgar and yes Rauner. I’m a victim of short-sided, politics first governing. I’m a victim of one party control for way too long. I’m a victim of Cook county corruption that seems to never end. I’m a victim of oppressive policies that prohibit change in such basic things as upgrading our IT. I’m the victim of no budget or agreed revenue number. I’m a victim of unions wanting to change the rules to suit themselves and way too many Reps and Sens willing to give them whatever they want. I’m a victim of Reps and Sens that toe the line and nod and say yes to whatever the Speaker asks for.
I’m a victim of seeing way too many of my friends and neighbors moving out of state. I’m a victim of pinheads saying who wears the collar for something and not demanding solutions from anyone.

Yea, I’m a victim. A victim of living in the worst run state out of 50. A victim of higher taxes. A victim of runaway pensions.
A victim of our largest city being in horrible financial condition…

Shall I go on?

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 1:40 pm
Anon2U Don’t go on, just go.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 1:45 pm
Anon, apparently you are a victim of your own laziness if you choose to remain in such a situation for decades.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 1:49 pm
Honeybear and ’singer,
I love my state. From Rockford to Anna and Galesburg to Carmi.
It is my state government and people who don’t demand better of it that I can’t stand. Sounds like you are okay with it all.
You got the government you deserve.

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 2:00 pm
*’slinger*

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 2:03 pm
- Anon2U -,

What are/were your Rauner expectations?

Are/were they even remotely realistic, as you see them now?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 2:07 pm
Anon2U
“A victim of runaway pensions.”

“Runaway pension debt” would be more accurate. See yesterday’s Munger news.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 2:12 pm
OW,
My expectations for Rauner, or anyone in the mansion, is to first and foremost put us first. All of us. Unions, taxpayers, businesses, nonprofits, etc. To stop the failed ways that got us where we are today. To put policy above politics. To make financial decisions that lead to solvency. Leaders that are willing, dare I say it, compromise for the common good.

Staying on the path we are on, relying on the same methods/policies that got us here, is not an option. I don’t care if they are R’s or D’s but we gotta change our ways.

I don’t care if it’s Rauner or whomever. We cannot keep doing what we are doing.

Comment by Anon2U Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 2:37 pm
Now - Anon2U -,

You look at your list;

How much of that you want is being denied to you by Rauner’s own choices.

Be honest. Rauner’s choices, think about those real choices, how do they effect that list.

Then you’ll know. Then you’ll know if Rauner is a victim.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 3:26 pm
The heavy hitters in here have said this a few times,but I feel the need to repeat it to Southern Illinois voters a time or fifty….
“You get what you vote for”.

Comment by btowntruth Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 3:26 pm
Amazing how everyone on here is divided, just like Springfield. No wonder nothing ever gets done. And yes Willy I am talking about the budget.

Comment by Digitydan Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 3:28 pm
Sorry, Anonymous @ 2:12 was me. Can I change my nickname?

Comment by 3rd Party Needed Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 4:01 pm
Oops.. I asked him want (replace want with what).

Comment by Mama Thursday, Oct 15, 15 @ 5:00 pm