When asked about solving Illinois’ government pension crisis, most Illinoisans preferred protecting already-earned benefits and reining in costs versus hiking taxes and cutting services.
PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE
CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977
New poll: Illinoisans support pension reform 3:1 over tax hikes, service cuts
When asked about solving Illinois’ government pension crisis, most Illinoisans preferred protecting already-earned benefits and reining in costs versus hiking taxes and cutting services.
CHICAGO (April 25, 2023) – Illinois’ pension crisis has the state holding $140 billion in unfunded liabilities, a burden that creates a cycle of spending cuts, tax hike threats or deficit spending. New polling shows Illinoisans prefer to address the pension crisis by amending the state constitution as opposed to hiking taxes and cutting services.
Illinois’ pension crisis is the driving force behind its high property taxes, which are second only to New Jersey. Polling shows 57% of Illinoisans feel their property taxes and other state and local taxes are too high and they do not get a good return on their investment, while 31% believe property taxes are well spent. Of those who said they would leave Illinois, 81% said property taxes are not worth the cost. 
Polling also found 58% of Illinoisans support lowering taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals, while 32% support raising taxes.
Tax relief requires the state to move on pension reform. Fifty-six percent of Illinoisans support amending the state constitution to preserve retirement benefits already earned by public employees and retirees. They also want to allow a reduction in the benefits earned in the future by employees and allow for slower growth in retirees’ future benefits.
Statement from Bryce Hill, director of fiscal and economic research at the Illinois Policy Institute:
“We need to listen to Illinoisans when they tell us what they want, and this polling indicates broad support for pension reform. The people of Illinois are tired of the false choice they’re presented, that the only way to fully fund pensions is to hike taxes, cut services or go even farther into debt. There is another option – a constitutional amendment to protect already-earned pension benefits and curb the growth in future costs. And if elected leaders want to reverse Illinoisans’ negative outlook on our state, they need to pursue it.”
Poll toplines are available here
Poll crosstabs are available here
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