A YouGov poll conducted last month shows registered voters in Illinois overwhelmingly believe that the cost of renting and buying a home is a problem, think that there aren’t enough affordable homes for average folks and want the state Legislature to take action.
The poll of 806 Illinois registered voters was taken March 1-9 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. The survey was conducted on behalf of YIMBY Illinois, a nonprofit which “advocates for abundant housing and sustainable, inclusive cities throughout Illinois.”
But the questions look legit, and the poll even tests some opposing arguments, although no questions about our high property taxes were asked.
The poll was released as Gov. JB Pritzker and others are pushing a plan to build “missing middle” residences, including multifamily developments and “granny flats” throughout the state. But proponents must overcome strong opposition from many municipal governments, which do not want to give up their control of local zoning.
Columnists bug
Columnists
In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
Eighty-four percent of those polled said the cost of renting or buying a home was a “major problem” (47%) or “somewhat a problem” (37%). That majority held up in every state region and demographic. Even 76% of those who approve of President Donald Trump’s job performance said it’s a problem (39% major, 37% somewhat, with 17% saying it’s a minor or not really a problem). Just a reminder that subsets have a higher margin of error than the overall survey.
Another 67% of respondents said Illinois does not have “enough homes that are affordable for average people to buy or rent,” while 18% said there were enough, and 16% weren’t sure or didn’t know. Again, every region and demographic agreed with the position, including 54% of Trump approvers.
A sizable 82% said state legislators should “take action” to address the housing shortage and c
