Serafin Power Poll: Pressing Issues Facing Chicago

Hello Power Poll members…

The results of our first Serafin Power Poll for 2024 are ready and we’ve got some interesting results on topics ranging from the migrant crisis to da’ Bears to how well we’re keeping up with our new year’s resolutions. And don’t forget to read to the end of this article for some exciting news from Serafin & Associates!

Hardly a day goes by without a headline about Chicago’s migrant crisis. More than 34,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago from the border in the last year and a half. It’s clear that power pollers want more solutions coming from our elected federal and state officials in DC and Springfield.

We asked pollers to rank from 1 to 4 (with 1 being the most important) what are the most significant actions that should be taken to address the migrant situation. More than half of the respondents said the Illinois congressional delegation should work more diligently with the White House and lawmakers in DC to secure more federal funding!

The second choice selected by power pollers had to do with the Governor. As a second choice, respondents said the Governor should be leading the effort to provide shelter for migrants to establish roots in Illinois.

Closely behind that choice was the option of enlisting business, religious and non-profit communities to provide financial and other support. In last place, our pollers chose fining the bus and airline charters to discourage them from transporting migrants from other states.

In last year's mayoral election, over 60 percent of Chicago's registered voters did not vote. Even with concerns about crime, there’s a lot of skepticism about expected voter turnout in primary election March 19 when voters will nominate a Democratic and Republican candidate to succeed Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.

Over 50% percent of the power pollers said there would be a lower turnout because interest is usually down without a contest for mayor or governor.

Less than 30% said they expected a higher number of voters in the primary election turnout due to concerns about crime.

14% said there would be higher turnout in the primary election because it’s a Cook County race which includes the suburbs.

6% said they were uncertain.

We also asked power pollers which GOP presidential candidate they think will surprise experts with a stronger than expected showing in the Iowa GOP Presidential caucus.

Nikki Haley garnered 59%, with 31% saying Trump is too far ahead for any other candidate to catch up. Florida governor Ron DeSantis was far behind at 7% with Vivek Ramaswamy at 3%.

Next up, a question about da’ Bears who finished the season with a disappointing 7-10 record. For the upcoming NFL Draft, the Bears own the number one draft pick in the NFL draft, with coaches predicting quarterbacks the top athletes to go one and two in the draft.

We asked what the Bears should do with their Number ONE pick and here are those responses:

28% said the Bears should keep Justin Fields as their QB and use their number one pick on the draft’s top wide receiver

28% said trade the Number One pick for additional draft choices.

20% said the Bears should use their number one choice to pick the top quarterback in the draft

24% said they don’t know

Sure looks like Justin Fields has a decent fan base in Chicago!

To wrap up our first power poll of the New Year, we asked, what’s the status of your 2024 New Year’s resolutions?

67% said know better than to make resolutions!

32% said made a few resolutions, so far so good.

1% said made a few resolutions, broke them all.

Important news —we’re launching a Power Poll Podcast next week! Our first podcast is hosted by Thom Serafin with guests political expert Mike Flannery and WLS-TV/Channel 7 sports anchor Dionne Miller. Former Sun Times, WBBM TV, and WFLD TV political reporter Flannery has covered every Chicago mayor back to Richard J. Daley, every Illinois governor back to Dan Walker and every American president back to Richard Nixon. Miller has covered sports in Chicago since 2012 and is passionate about the Chicago sports scene. She jokes, "When not working, I enjoy watching sports, I know, shocking!"

The Serafin Power Poll is not a scientific poll, but rather a fascinating and non-partisan glimpse into the attitudes and opinions of the decision-makers and thought leaders in the Chicago region. We surveyed 898 members and the response rate was 11.36 percent. See all Serafin Power Poll articles at serafin.com/powerpoll