Economy, Taxes Among Biggest Issues, Frankfort Voters Say

FRANKFORT, IL —With less than a week to go until the March 17 primary election in Illinois, Frankfort voters shared some concerns and opinions about the upcoming election. In responses to a recent survey from Patch, 100 percent of Frankfort respondents said they were "very likely" or "likely" to vote in the primary.

Patch also asked: what are the biggest issues facing Illinois going in to the March primary? Residents responded with answers including:

• Corrupt officials
• Gun rights and gun violence
• Pro-life causes
• Gerrymandering
• Taxes
• Presidential election
• Crime
• Economic growth
• Pension debt
• Infrastructure
• Migration out of Illinois
• Foreign policy

The majority of respondents, about 79 percent, said they felt they were informed on primary candidates. Next, Frankfort Patch asked about national politics and the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The majority of Frankfort residents said national politics would affect the way they would vote, with many citing the impeachment of Trump as their reason. Over half of the respondents, about 68 percent, said national politics would influence their vote.

Frankfort voters were nearly split on their opinion of the impeachment of the president. 50 percent of respondents said they did not support the impeachment, while 47 percent said they were in support of it. One resident had no opinion.

One respondent said, "The accusations were ridiculous. He committed no crimes."

Another resident disagreed, saying, "He abused his power by seeking the help of a foreign government for personal gain and then he and Republicans tried to cover it up."

Lastly, Frankfort Patch asked: A new law allows detainees at the Cook County jail to vote by mail. Should other counties also allow this? Why or why not?

Residents in Frankfort were again fairly split on this issue. About 53 percent of respondents were against the law, while 42 percent were in support of it. Two residents had no opinion on the issue.

"Criminals should lose [the] privilege to vote," one resident said.

"Detainees are not convicted until a fair trial is rendered. Therefore, they have full rights," another resident said.

The primary election in Illinois is March 17, and polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day.