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The 2014 Simon Poll:
Voter Opinions on Term Limits in Illinois
Charlie Leonard, Visiting Professor
Union League Club of ChicagoApril 7, 2014
2014 Simon Poll
• 1,001 Live interviews, registered voters
• 20-min. interview; Proportional across Illinois
• Conducted Feb. 12 – 25; 30% Cell phones
• Margin for error ± 3.5 percentage points
• Phoning: Customer Research International
- San Marcos, Texas
- No Illinois political clients
- Paid with Institute endowment
Widely and Consistently Popular
• No matter how you phrase the question
• No matter what group you ask
• Support consistent over time
Eight-Year Term Limits
Legislative Term Limit Time Series
Leadership Term Limits
Leadership Term Limit Time Series
Strong Support in Every Subgroup
The Ones You Might Expect
• Republicans – 89.8% • Chicago suburbs - 80.6%
• Private sector – 80.7% • Conservatives - 83.4%
Strong Support in Every Subgroup
The Ones You Might Expect
• Republicans – 89.8% • Chicago suburbs - 80.6%
• Private sector – 80.7% • Conservatives - 83.4%
The Ones You Might Not
• Democrats – 74.0% • Chicago – 73.3%
• Public sector – 79.7% • Liberals – 76.0%
Strong Support in Every Subgroup
The Ones You Might Expect
• Republicans – 89.8% • Chicago suburbs - 80.6%
• Private sector – 80.7% • Conservatives - 83.4%
The Ones You Might Not
• Democrats – 74.0% • Chicago – 73.3%
• Public sector – 79.7% • Liberals – 76.0%
Opposition Highest Among
• Blacks – 26.7% • Democrats – 22.6%
• Chicago – 21.5% • Liberals – 20.0%
Arguments in favor of Term Limits
Term limits make elected officials more responsive
• 71% Agree; 24% Disagree
Arguments in favor of Term Limits
Term limits make elected officials more responsive
• 71% Agree; 24% Disagree
Term limits bring new people with fresh ideas
• 83% Agree; 14% Disagree
Arguments against Term Limits
Term limits don’t give elected officials enough time
to develop expertise
• 28% Agree; 68% Disagree
Arguments against Term Limits
Term limits don’t give elected officials enough time
to develop expertise
• 28% Agree; 68% Disagree
Term limits give more power to lobbyists and
unelected staff
• 35% Agree; 55% Disagree
What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
• 89%: State corruption very/somewhat common
What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
• 89%: State corruption very/somewhat common
• 61%: State corruption impacts people’s lives
What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
• 89%: State corruption very/somewhat common
• 61%: State corruption impacts people’s lives
• 58%: Illinois more corrupt than other states*
* 2012 Simon Poll
What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
• 89%: State corruption very/somewhat common
• 61%: State corruption impacts people’s lives
• 58%: Illinois more corrupt than other states*
• 28%: Trust state gov’t to do what’s right**
* 2012 Simon Poll
** Gallup Poll 2014
Would It Pass If It Made the Ballot?
Faster than free ice cream.
Would It Pass If It Made the Ballot?
Faster than free ice cream.
• Questions?
