Residents of northeastern Illinois, northwestern Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin overwhelmingly support cooperation among leaders when it comes to economic development, according to a new Marquette Law School Poll.
Of those who responded to the survey, which included 1,872 residents of the tri-state “megacity” region, 70 percent of the northeast Illinois group, 72 percent of the northwest Indiana group and 61 percent of the southeast Wisconsin group said leaders should work together to promote regional economic development.
About 60 percent from each state indicated support for a common fund that would provide comprehensive transportation planning for airports, railroads, highways and Lake Michigan shipping.
When it came to the licensing of trades and professions, 54 percent of Wisconsinites, 64 percent of Illinoisans and 62 percent of Indianans supported a single license across the three states.
But business attraction was another story. About half of Illinois respondents, 53 percent of Indiana respondents and 60 percent of Wisconsin respondents felt states should keep an individual focus in their efforts to court large companies to their states.
Tourism also favored individualism, with 59 percent of Illinoisans, 58 percent of Indianans and 65 percent of Wisconsinites surveyed supporting independent tourism promotion.
“These results show that there is public support for political leaders to pursue policies of cooperation in areas where shared benefits are high, such as transportation or professional licensing,” said Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette Law School Poll. “On other issues where direct and competing economic interests are at stake, such as tourism or attracting business, politicians are likely to find public disapproval of cooperative efforts. And while Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin residents certainly have their own distinct identities, we found perhaps surprisingly uniform opinions across the three states when it comes to cooperation.”
The survey also included additional questions on workforce preparation, transportation and commuting, and home and community issues. It can be viewed here.
