Pensions, Healthcare Among Biggest Issues, Lemont Voters Say

LEMONT, IL — With less than a week to go until the March 17 primary election in Illinois, Lemont voters shared some concerns and opinions about the upcoming election. In responses to a recent survey from Patch, 90 percent of Lemont respondents said they were "very likely" to vote in the primary.

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

• A balanced budget
• Taxes
• Pension reforms
• Climate change
• Presidential election
• Healthcare
• Crime
• Gun violence
• Infrastructure
• Cannabis dispensaries
• Immigration

The majority of respondents, about 73 percent, also said they felt they were informed on primary candidates. Some respondents said they felt they had enough information on national candidates, but not enough on local races.

Next, Lemont Patch asked about national politics and the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The majority of Lemont residents said national politics would affect the way they would vote, with many citing the impeachment of Trump as their reason. Over half of respondents from Lemont, 58 percent, said national politics would influence their vote.

Many Lemont voters, about 73 percent of respondents, also said they did not support the impeachment of the president.

One respondent said, "There are no legal grounds — sham by Democrats!"

Another resident said, "America is thriving more than ever before and you have people that seem to want the opposite, particularly the Democratic party."

However, some residents, about 26 percent of respondents, disagreed and were in support of the impeachment.

"It's obvious he violated the Constitution and abused his power," one resident said.

Lastly, Lemont 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?

Most respondents in Lemont were against this new law. 61 percent of respondents were not in favor of the law, while 26 percent supported it. Several residents were not sure or had no opinion on the issue.

One respondent said, "If you are incarcerated, you give up your rights."

Another voter agreed, adding, "If you aren't contributing to society, you shouldn't get a choice to choose who holds office."

One resident in favor of the law said, "If we truly believe prison should rehabilitate a person, then we should respect their vote."

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