Reports showcase disengagement in Illinois and Chicago citizens

Co-sponsored by Midwest Democracy Network partner Citizen Advocacy Center and the Chicago-based McCormick Foundation, two reports released by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) show Chicago-area and Illinois residents are less likely to vote, attend a public meeting, and pitch in with neighbors compared to national averages.

“The studies highlight major challenges to citizen participation in Chicago and beyond,” said David Hiller, McCormick Foundation President and CEO about the Chicago Civic Health Index and the Illinois Civic Health Index. “We believe improving access to youth civic education and engagement opportunities can be part of the solution.”

One challenge is to find a way to engage citizens to attend public meetings. Chicago and Illinois residents were less likely to attend non-electoral public meetings retarding political issues compared to other states.

During the November 2008 election, Illinois citizens 18 and older ranked 37th in voter turnout and dropped three percent compared to the turnout at the 2004 Presidential election - even with then-Illinois Senator Barack Obama on the ballot.

Baby Boomers in Chicago were also most likely to vote during the 2008 election, followed by Generation Xers (1964-1980), and members born in 1945 or earlier.

However,  while national averages are shockingly low, Illinois and Chicago do compare favorably regarding accessing news and information.