STATE

Registered voters angry about budget woes: Poll

Illinois registered voters are mad as hell.

Data from a recent poll show that Illinois registered voters are angry about the state’s current deficits and want their governor to make long-term fiscal health a priority for Illinois now and in 2019. The results come from a poll that AARP commissioned. Pollsters, Alan Newman Research, questioned registered voters ages 25 and older in Illinois in July 2018 on behalf of the AARP state office in Illinois. Most voters, across all political parties, say they are angry about the state’s current fiscal deficits and view this as the top most important issue in the state right now.

Key findings include:

• Two-thirds (65 percent) of Illinois registered voters ages 25 and older rate their anger about Illinois’ current fiscal situation as a ‘4’ or a ‘5’ on a scale of one to five (‘5’ meaning extremely angry).
• Most (84 percent) Illinois registered voters agree that the governor and state legislature need to make the state’s fiscal problems the top priority in 2019, with 65 percent saying they strongly agree.
• Nearly six in 10 (59 percent) Illinois registered voters support a graduated income tax structure as a way to help solve the state’s fiscal problems.
• Most (70 percent) oppose taxing retirement income as a way to help solve the state’s fiscal problems.
• Most (73 percent) Illinois registered voters know someone considering leaving Illinois to live elsewhere and half (49 percent) have considered relocating themselves.​

The research firm completed 1,202 telephone interviews, 600 via landline and 602 via cell phone. Data are weighted by age and gender according to the February 2018 Illinois state voter database statistics.

Voters will choose between incumbent Bruce Rauner and challenger J.B. Pritzker Nov. 6, to be governor for the next four years.

COUNTY

Early voting started, grace period open

Adults registered to vote in DuPage County can cast ballots now for the Nov. 6 General Election, and voters who need to update address information can take advantage of a grace period.

The DuPage County Election Commission is holding early voting at its office in the Administration Building on the DuPage County Government Campus, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.

Early voing will be expanded to polling places throughout the county beginning Oct. 22 through Nov. 5. Go to dupageco.org/earlyvoting/ for locations. Voters can cast ballots at Fox Valley, Straford Square and Yorktown malls.

Residents who have changed their names or addresses, may update their voter’s registration by utilizing the grace period voting and registration, Oct. 22-Nov. 5 at early voting polling places. Two forms of identification are needed to register to vote; at least one form must display the current residential address. Grace period registration will continue on Election Day, Nov. 6, at all polling places.

Naperville Firefighter/Paramedic Carl Schultz

NAPERVILLE

Firefighter to be honored for saving a man’s life

The Hundred Club of DuPage County will present Naperville Firefighter/Paramedic Carl Schultz its 2018 Award of Valor during its annual Meeting and Valor Awards Dinner Oct. 24, at the Lisle/Naperville Hilton. He saved a man who was unsuccessfully trying to escape a car that was submerging into a retention pond.

Recognizing first responders for their acts of courage and heroism, the event begins with a social hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at hundredclubofdupage.org.

OAK BROOK

Sessions to explain referendum details

Oak Brook Park District officials are presenting voters with information about its Nov. 6 referendum seeking approval to buy a 34-acre parcel known as McDonald’s Fields.

The referendum proposition asks voters whether the district should issue $17.8 million in general obligation bonds, to be paid over 20 years, to purchase the property located at Jorie Boulevard and Kensington Road that housed the corporate offices of Oak Brook’s most high-profile tenant before the company moved operations to Chicago.

Each open house will include a detailed presentation and question-and-answer sessions regarding the proposed referendum. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the measure, ask questions, provide feedback and meet park district board members and staff.

The open houses, to be held at the Family Recreation Center, 1450 Forest Gate Road, are scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 18; and 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 5. For more information about the referendum, go to obparks.org.

ELMHURST

Theater to give spooky performances

Elmhursts’ GreenMan Theatre will attempt again to scare its audiences with its annual event, “Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season.” Stories and songs developed by participants in a storytelling class taught by Carolyn Thomas-Davidoff will be performances at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 and Oct. 20. 

The stories are classic tales that come out of the oral tradition, literary tales written by a specific author, personal tales and urban legends. They come from many countries, including the United States, Mexico and Japan.

“Spooky Stories and Songs of the Season” will be presented in two sets with an intermission. The program is recommended for adults and children ages seven and older.

DuPage County storytellers joining Thomas-Davidoff in the production are, from Elmhurst, Cassy Beach, Marilyn Connolly, Mary Proska, Joe Schram and Steven Soria; Julie Brandon of Downers Grove; and Debbie Proska of Lombard.

Performances will be held in GreenMan’s performance space at 232 S. York in Elmhurst. Tickets are $5 each. Free parking is available. For more information or for ticket reservations, call 630-464-2646 or visit greenmantheatre.org. 

–DuPage County News Briefs–