What La Grange Voters Think: Patch Survey

LA GRANGE, IL — The state's pension crisis was one of the top issues mentioned in a La Grange Patch survey of local voters about the biggest problems facing Illinois going into the March 17 Democratic and Republican primaries.

Twelve people responded to La Grange Patch's unscientific, online voter survey. Four identified themselves as Democrats and three as independents. Two did not state an affiliation. Two labeled themselves as Republican — one as a "Republican baby" and the other as an impeachment backer who plans to vote in the Democratic primary this year. Still another respondent listed him or herself as "not Democrat."

As for the issues, the "Republican baby" wrote, "Democrats seem to love raising taxes. It's annoying." Respondents of all stripes referred to the state's pension crisis as a top issue in the election. For years, quickly rising pension costs in Illinois have been a source of controversy, with pension liabilities well over $130 billion. Pensions are blamed for crowding out other government services.

In the La Grange survey, an independent expressed frustration with the "corruption of the Chicago Machine, crumbling infrastructure and unreliable public transportation." A Democrat advocated for women's rights and "gun sense" laws.

As for whether they supported President Donald Trump's impeachment, La Grange respondents held definitive positions, with some adopting Washington talking points. An independent wrote in opposition to impeachment, calling it "a purely partisan exercise, a waste of time." The person labeled as "not Democrat" chimed in, "(Trump) is right. It was all a Democrat put-up job."

As expected Democrats backed impeachment, with one answering, "Yes, because we have a criminal in the White House who is doing so much damage to our country — from unleashing hate and environmental rollbacks."

All but one of the respondents listed themselves as "very likely" to cast ballots. That's not surprising for voters engaged enough to answer an online survey.