Taxes, Corruption Among Biggest Issues, Deerfield Voters Say

DEERFIELD, IL — Early voting is underway in Illinois ahead of the March 17 primary election. In responses to a recent survey, Deerfield residents identified taxes, corruption, climate change and a decreasing population as the most pressing issues facing the state ahead of the vote.

Democrats will be voting to how to allocate 155 pledged delegates to this summer's national convention in Milwaukee to nominate a candidate to challenge President Donald Trump. Republicans will be selecting from five candidates for the party's nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

All but one of the respondents to the informal Patch survey said they were very likely to vote. About 47 percent of respondents identified as Democrats, 32 percent as Republicans and another 21 percent did not specify an affiliation.

More than 84 percent of self-identified Deerfield residents who responded to the unscientific poll last month said they had enough information about the candidates to make an informed decision.

Opinions regarding Trump's impeachment, with few exceptions, broke down along party lines. One Democratic respondent opposed the impeachment, no Republicans supported it.

"Impeaching a President over such petty things is a disgrace to our country and will only make Republicans do the same to Democrats when they have a chance," said the Democratic impeachment opponent, who identified pension reform and taxes as the biggest issues facing Illinois. "Enough about wasting time going after Trump. Start doing things."

A person who described their political affiliation as undecided agreed: "Much as I think he is a despicable person and President, I think the impeachment was implemented with weak evidence and a partisan partial jury in the senate. It was a waste of time and taxpayers money. The dems should have waited and let Trump hang himself on a more easily prosecuted crime. He definitely would have done it in time."

A Republican voter explained their opposition to the impeachment: "1. He didn't do anything impeachable. 2. They tried to do anything to get rid of him because they lost. 3. They're corrupt partisan crooks who do not have the best interest of the country in mind."

"He should have been removed from office but it was never going to happen due to scared republicans. It was good that something was done but overall due to knowing it would not be complete was also a waste," one Democrat said. "No easy answer to this question"

As for whether detainees in county jails should be allowed to vote by mail, members of both parties were split. A law that took effect earlier this year requires a temporary polling place be established in Cook County Jail.

"[Yes,] if there is process to prove registered to vote and that they are in country legally," one Republican said.

"No. If you are in jail you should not be allowed to vote," a Democrat said.

Republican respondents said national politics would not sway their vote in the primary, while Democratic respondents agreed almost unanimously that it would.

"I won't vote for the idiots who impeached him," said the lone Republican who said national politics would impact their vote.

"National politics makes a difference; the impeachment does not. If my preferred candidate had voted against impeachment, that would have affected my decision," one Democrat said.

Deerfield voters identified the following issues as the more important facing Illinois ahead of the March primary:

"Debt and political corruption."

"Pension reform, taxes."

"People leaving the state and taxes."

"State deficit & taxes, gun violence, housing costs."

"Climate change followed by health care and property taxes."

"1) stopping the corruption of the current politicians; 2) implementing term limits; 3) IL declaring bankruptcy."

"Honesty, openness of elected representatives and those elected remembering that they work for the people in their districts."

"Locally, it's people leaving the state due to economic factors, high taxes, not enough high tech and related job opportunities."