As usual during a presidential election year, the race for the White House is getting nearly all the media attention, but David Yepsen, Director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at SIU says, with all the economic issues in Illinois, we all should be paying attention to the statehouse races.. While the Governor is not up for election, and House Speaker Madigan is in a very safe district, small changes in party representation can make a big difference for either party.

Yepsen says the way we draw statehouse districts in Illinois puts most members in safe districts with little chance of losing a general election, and is hopeful that the Fair Map Amendment, or a similar non-partisan redistricting plan, can be put in place before the 2020 census comes out which is when the next round of redistricting will be conducted.

Meanwhile, says Yepsen, too many people go to the polls knowing their choice for President, but pay too little attention to the myriad of down ballot races. He suggests getting a sample ballot, and looking at the positions off all candidates in order to be an informed voter in November. 



David Yepsen of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. Their research and polling results on Illinois political and economic issues are available at PaulSimonInstitute.org.