The document summarizes the results of the 2014 Simon Poll on voter opinions regarding term limits in Illinois. Some key findings include: - Over 70% of voters supported implementing 8-year term limits for state legislators and leadership positions, regardless of political affiliation or region. - Support was consistently high across different voter subgroups, including Democrats, Chicago residents, and those in the public sector. - The main arguments cited in favor of term limits were that it would make elected officials more responsive and bring in new people with fresh ideas, which over 70% and 80% of voters agreed with, respectively.

1. The 2014 Simon Poll:
Voter Opinions on Term Limits in Illinois
Charlie Leonard, Visiting Professor
Union League Club of Chicago
April 7, 2014

2. 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

3. Widely and Consistently Popular
• No matter how you phrase the question
• No matter what group you ask
• Support consistent over time

4. Eight-Year Term Limits

5. Legislative Term Limit Time Series

6. Leadership Term Limits

7. Leadership Term Limit Time Series

8. Strong Support in Every Subgroup
The Ones You Might Expect
• Republicans – 89.8% • Chicago suburbs - 80.6%
• Private sector – 80.7% • Conservatives - 83.4%

9. 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%

10. 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%

11. Arguments in favor of Term Limits
Term limits make elected officials more responsive
• 71% Agree; 24% Disagree

12. 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

13. Arguments against Term Limits
Term limits don’t give elected officials enough time
to develop expertise
• 28% Agree; 68% Disagree

14. 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

15. What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”

16. What’s Behind the High Support?
Frustration with Government
• 76%: Illinois is “on the wrong track”
• 89%: State corruption very/somewhat common

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Would It Pass If It Made the Ballot?
Faster than free ice cream.

21. Would It Pass If It Made the Ballot?
Faster than free ice cream.
• Questions?