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By Benjamin Yount | Illinois Watchdog
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ coalition of unions is touting a new poll that unions say shows public support for pensions. But the unions did not ask voters what they are asking of lawmakers, to raise taxes to pay for pensions.
The new poll from Public Policy Polling surveyed 500 Illinois voters for three days, between February 1 and February 3.
The poll asked 14 questions, four of them perfunctory, but never once used the words tax increase.
Instead the poll asked generic questions about whether voters “support or do not support” reductions to pension benefits. Another question asks whether “politicians and public employees should work together.”
The We Are One Coalition, a collection of public employee unions including the Illinois Education Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and AFSCME.
Coalition leaders say the poll shows “overwhelming” support for their ideas.
But the same coalition has said in the past that Illinois needs to raise taxes first, and only then work on an agreement with public employees for pension reform.
You can contact Benjamin Yount at Ben@IllinoisWatchdog.org
