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News Release
ILLINOIS POLICY SURVEY -- 2003
Most Important Problem Facing State
| Value Label | Valid WGT Percent |
| Budget/spending | 28.8 |
| Education | 16.7 |
| Govt., politics, corruption | 12.7 |
| Jobs, unemployment | 12.2 |
| Other | 10.9 |
| Economy or inflation | 4.8 |
| Crime/Gangs | 3.9 |
| Taxes | 3.9 |
| Helath Care, Medical | 2.6 |
| Environment , Pollution | 0.6 |
| Drugs | 0.5 |
| Abortion | 0.3 |
| Homeless, Poverty | 1.0 |
| Welfare | 0.9 |
| Race relations | 0.1 |
| No problem | 0.1 |
| Don't Know | Missing |
| Won't Say | Missing |
| Total | 100.00 |
State Spending for K-12 Education
Should state spending schools for public schools, that's grades Kindergarten to 12, be kept at the present level, increased or decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 76.7 |
| Present Level | 17.8 |
| Decreased | 3.2 |
State Spending for Higher Education
Should state spending for public colleges and universities be increased, kept at the present level,or decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 53.0 |
| Present Level | 40.2 |
| Decreased | 5.8 |
State Spending for Environmental Protection
Should state spending for environmental protection be increased, kept at the present level, or decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 47.5 |
| Present Level | 40.6 |
| Decreased | 10.6 |
State Spending for Low Income Families with Children
Should the state to help low income families with children spending be increased, kept at the present level, or decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 56.7 |
| Present Level | 35.0 |
| Decreased | 5.7 |
Should state spending for state prisons and correctional facilities be increased, kept at the present level, or decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 22.7 |
| Present Level | 49.7 |
| Decreased | 26.4 |
State Spending for Job Training
Should state spending on job training programs for the unemployed be increased, kept at the present level, or
decreased?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Increased | 61.0 |
| Present Level | 31.2 |
| Decreased | 6.9 |
Are the People of Illinois Better Off Than One Year Ago?
Would you say that at the present time the people of Illinois are better off financially, just about the same, or worse off than they were last year?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Better off | 61.0 |
| About the same | 31.2 |
| Worse off | 6.9 |
Are the People of Illinois Better Off Than Four Years Ago?
How about compared to 4 years ago? Would you say the people of Illinois are better off financially, about the same, or worse off than they were 4 years ago?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Better off | 10.4 |
| About the same | 15.7 |
| Worse off | 73.9 |
How Serious Are State Budget Problems?
How serious do you think state budget problems are in Illinois. Would you say:
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Very serious | 59.2 |
| Somewhat serious | 33.9 |
| Not very serious | 3.6 |
As you may know, the state government faced a budget deficit the past year of 1.5 Billion dollars, and and even higher deficit is predicted. I am going to read a list of possible ways to bring down the deficit. For each, please tell me if you would favor or oppose this way to reduce the deficit.
...Increasing state income tax
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 32.2 |
| Oppose | 62.3 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 5.5 |
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 35.5 |
| Oppose | 53.8 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 10.7 |
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 27.3 |
| Oppose | 69.2 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 3.5 |
...Laying off government personal
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 58.3 |
| Oppose | 32.7 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 9.1 |
...Decreasing property tax rebates for older adults
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 43.3 |
| Oppose | 51.8 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 4.9 |
...Increasing corporate or business taxes
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 65.1 |
| Oppose | 30.0 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 4.9 |
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Favor | 89.7 |
| Oppose | 7.2 |
| Neutral, no opinion | 3.1 |
Prefer Reducing Services/increasing Tax
If you had to choose between reducing spending for government services, or increasing taxes to keep government services at current levels, which would you prefer?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Reducing government | 58.4 |
| Increasing taxes | 41.6 |
| Don't Know | Missing |
Willingness to Increase Taxes for Services
I'm going to read you a list of public services that legislators in Springfield might consider cutting back because of the state budget problems. Please consider for each if you would be willing to have a 25 dollar a year increase in your taxes in order to prevent service cutbacks. There are 12 service areas, so if you would say yes to all of them, the total would be $300 a year.
First, is education through 12th grade.
Pay $25 a Year to Maintain K-12
Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks in education kindergarten through 12th grade?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 80.2 |
| No | 19.8 |
Pay $25 a Year to Maintain Higher Educataion
Higher education, which includes public colleges and Universities and community colleges. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 56.1 |
| No | 43.9 |
Pay $25 a Year for Economic Development
Economic development, which includes promoting new businesses and developing job opportunites. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 59.6 |
| No | 40.4 |
Pay $25 a Year for Job Training
Providing job training for the unemployed. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 65.3 |
| No | 34.7 |
Pay $25 a Year for Public Health
Public health, which includes health protection such as drinking water testing and preventive health services such as immunizations. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 69.4 |
| No | 30.6 |
Pay $25 a Year for Medical Care
Medical care for lower income families and older adults. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 77.3 |
| No | 22.7 |
Child care services for preschool age children.Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 57.3 |
| No | 22.7 |
Pay $25 a Year for Public Transportation
Public transportation, including regional transit and local bus services. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 33.8 |
| No | 66.2 |
Pay $25 a Year for Temporary Aid To Needy Family
Providing temporary aid to needy families.Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 71.3 |
| No | 28.7 |
Pay $25 a Year for Air and Water Quality
Protecting air and water quality.Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 61.5 |
| No | 38.5 |
Pay $25 a Year for Public Safety
Public safety, which includes correctional facilities for adults and juveniles, and state police. Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 46.1 |
| No | 53.9 |
Pay $25 a Year for open spaces
Protecting open spaces and preventing urban sprawl.Would you be willing to pay $25 more a year in taxes to prevent service cutbacks?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 45.9 |
| No | 54.1 |
I am going to read a list of possible changes in public schools that would cost more money and require additional tax dollars. Please tell me if you would favor or oppose making each of the following changes in your community to improve your public schools. Please consider public schools through the 12th grade.
The first change is paying teachers more. Would you favor or oppose that?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Strongly favor | 28.1 |
| Favor | 39.4 |
| Oppose | 25.3 |
| Strongly oppose | 7.2 |
...Reducing class sizes. Would you favor or oppose that?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Strongly favor | 35.0 |
| Favor | 42.2 |
| Oppose | 19.6 |
| Strongly oppose | 3.1 |
...Fixing run-down school buildings. Would you favor or oppose that?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Strongly favor | 28.1 |
| Favor | 39.4 |
| Oppose | 25.3 |
| Strongly oppose | 7.2 |
...Implementing stricter teacher certification standards. Would you favor or oppose that?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Strongly favor | 28.1 |
| Favor | 39.4 |
| Oppose | 25.3 |
| Strongly oppose | 7.2 |
To pay for any of these changes, would you be willing to have your taxes raised by $100 per year?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 28.1 |
| No | 39.4 |
To pay for any of these changes would you be willing to have your taxes raised by $200 per year?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 31.7 |
| No | 38.0 |
To pay for any of these changes would you be willing to have your taxes raised by $500 per year?
| Value Label | Valid WGT percent |
| Yes | 9.8 |
| No | 20.4 |