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Today’s number: 35,000

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Illinois

* The Illinois Policy Institute on the current legislative exodus…

But the most likely driver is pretty obvious to most Illinoisans: the rage of constituents.

Social media has given residents more real-time information about what their lawmakers are doing, as well as better access to the tools to contact them directly – and often. Illinois House Minority Leader Jim Durkin cited social media as one factor with a “major impact” on the phenomenon of lawmakers leaving en masse.

The Illinois Policy Institute, which spoke out consistently against the tax hike, boasts the most active online community of any advocacy organization in the state. Close to 300,000 Illinoisans follow the group’s Facebook page. And in an eight-day window this summer – June 29th to July 6th – Illinoisans sent 35,000 emails through the Institute’s “contact your lawmaker” tool.

Not to mention all the super-harsh comments posted on members’ FB pages, etc.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 1:59 pm

Comments

IPI may have had some influence in a few cases but drill down over a cocktail or ten with some members on the GOP side, you might be surprised why they are exiting.

Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:07 pm
IPI has been a driving factor in frustration and discouragement among legislators, on both sides of the aisle — but not as a channel for emails.

Comment by walker Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:12 pm
Social media cuts both ways.

Ask the radically candid former Best Team in America.

Missteps by former IPI staffers and the IPI staff itself became front page news in large part due to social media exploits of some savvy citizen watchdogs and professional journalists too.

Mary Ann Aherm and Amanda Vinicky, in addition to @capitolfax have been driving a lot of news cycles.

Comment by Thomas Paine Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:15 pm
Baloney

Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:15 pm
Time for the end of the fiscal year report, IPI???

Comment by Anon221 Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:26 pm
There’s a direct correlation between a post on their FB page and influx of emails to lawmakers, from what I’ve seen. That audience does not mess around.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Emailing your lawmaker on their government email (that their staffer checks) with a form letter you sent with a click is not impactful. It does nothing but provide busywork for staff.

If you want to make an impact, call. Write an *actually personalized* email. But let me promise that clicking through IPI (or whoever’s) form letters is a waste of everyone’s time, especially the sender’s.

Comment by PJ Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:37 pm
And they still spend more money per vote in mostly losing general election races of any organization in the country.

Comment by 19th ward guy Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 2:49 pm
… super-harsh comments posted on members’ FB pages …

I take you’re not referring to the ones by the office holders themselves (but rather the public’s comments)

Comment by titan Friday, Sep 29, 17 @ 3:20 pm