The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on the state’s transportation system through its annual Illinois Traveler Opinion Survey, available today through Dec. 31.
“The public’s input is vital for the health of our transportation system. We look forward to learning about your travel preferences, what you think we are doing well and how you’d like us to improve,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman.
The annual survey, conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Springfield, seeks feedback on topics ranging from road conditions and ice-and-snow removal to commuting habits and driving behaviors.
This story appeared on OurQuadCities.com on December 5, 2019.
Read the entire article online.
Showing posts with label Survey Research Office. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Survey Research Office. Show all posts
Monday, December 9, 2019
Monday, December 11, 2017
IDOT asks Illinois residents to give it feedback on state's travel conditions
Illinois residents who have traveled this year have a chance to give their feedback to the state.
IDOT released their annual traveler opinion survey on Thursday. It's asking residents to rate the state's transportation system.
The annual survey is conducted through the University of Illinois Springfield's survey research office.
It seeks input like road conditions, ice and snow removal, and commuting habits.
This story aired on WREX.com on December 7, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
IDOT released their annual traveler opinion survey on Thursday. It's asking residents to rate the state's transportation system.
The annual survey is conducted through the University of Illinois Springfield's survey research office.
It seeks input like road conditions, ice and snow removal, and commuting habits.
This story aired on WREX.com on December 7, 2017.
Read the entire story online.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Local business mood improved in fall economic survey
Sangamon County employers are more optimistic on sales and job growth in the first survey taken since the state budget deadlock ended, though expectations for the overall economy have changed little since the fall of 2016.
State government finances remained a top concern among nearly 60 percent of 233 employers who responded to the fall 2017 Sangamon County Economic Outlook Survey.
The survey was released Tuesday during the annual economic outlook breakfast of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, held at the University of Illinois Springfield.
One-third of respondents said they expect the local economy to improve in the next year, about the same percentage as a year ago.
More than half, 55 percent, said they expect improved sales and revenue in the coming year compared to 46 percent in the fall of 2016.
Job growth was expected by 32 percent, compared with 27 percent last year.
“There’s a gradual improvement in overall expectations for the economy. It’s still not robust, but it’s an improvement over what we had been seeing,” said executive director David Racine at the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership.
The UIS office conducts the spring and fall survey for the Springfield chamber.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 14, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
State government finances remained a top concern among nearly 60 percent of 233 employers who responded to the fall 2017 Sangamon County Economic Outlook Survey.
The survey was released Tuesday during the annual economic outlook breakfast of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, held at the University of Illinois Springfield.
One-third of respondents said they expect the local economy to improve in the next year, about the same percentage as a year ago.
More than half, 55 percent, said they expect improved sales and revenue in the coming year compared to 46 percent in the fall of 2016.
Job growth was expected by 32 percent, compared with 27 percent last year.
“There’s a gradual improvement in overall expectations for the economy. It’s still not robust, but it’s an improvement over what we had been seeing,” said executive director David Racine at the UIS Center for State Policy and Leadership.
The UIS office conducts the spring and fall survey for the Springfield chamber.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 14, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sangamon County Citizen survey: 19% approve of state leadership
Residents in a biennial survey on Sangamon County quality of life think even less of state elected leaders than they do of the group in Washington, D.C.
The 19 percent approval rating compared with 28 percent federal, 57 percent local and 69 percent for unelected leaders was not surprising after a two-year budget impasse, organizers of the Sangamon County Citizen Survey said Friday.
“There’s almost no confidence for state elected officials, and federal elected officials didn’t do much better,” said Matthew Case, interim director of the Survey Research Office at University of Illinois Springfield.
The random survey of nearly 750 Sangamon County residents was released at the monthly Citizens Club of Springfield meeting at Hoogland Center for the Arts. The survey has been taken every other year since 2013. This was the first year for the leadership confidence question. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said the state budget impasse had a negative effect on Sangamon County, while 44 percent said they had been directly affected. The uncertainty of state government gridlock appeared to affect sentiment on jobs, the loss of young professionals, education, the economy and even personal well-being.
“Unfortunately, I think a lot of it was related to the state of Illinois and just the anxiety it’s caused,” John Stremsterfer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Land of Lincoln, said after release of the survey. The foundation and United Way of Central Illinois are partners in the survey with UIS.
United Way President John Kelker said the survey helps elected officials and social services set priorities intended to improve local quality of life. But he said state government dysfunction clearly weighed on responses this year.
There were bright spots in the responses. Solid majorities said Sangamon County was a good place to live, raise kids and work, while 60 percent rated the overall quality of education good to excellent.
Well over 90 percent reported having health insurance compared with 88 percent in first year of the survey in 2013.
The detailed survey is scheduled for online release Wednesday at uis.edu/surveyresearchoffice.
This article was published in The State Journal Register on July 28, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
The 19 percent approval rating compared with 28 percent federal, 57 percent local and 69 percent for unelected leaders was not surprising after a two-year budget impasse, organizers of the Sangamon County Citizen Survey said Friday.
“There’s almost no confidence for state elected officials, and federal elected officials didn’t do much better,” said Matthew Case, interim director of the Survey Research Office at University of Illinois Springfield.
The random survey of nearly 750 Sangamon County residents was released at the monthly Citizens Club of Springfield meeting at Hoogland Center for the Arts. The survey has been taken every other year since 2013. This was the first year for the leadership confidence question. Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said the state budget impasse had a negative effect on Sangamon County, while 44 percent said they had been directly affected. The uncertainty of state government gridlock appeared to affect sentiment on jobs, the loss of young professionals, education, the economy and even personal well-being.
“Unfortunately, I think a lot of it was related to the state of Illinois and just the anxiety it’s caused,” John Stremsterfer, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Land of Lincoln, said after release of the survey. The foundation and United Way of Central Illinois are partners in the survey with UIS.
United Way President John Kelker said the survey helps elected officials and social services set priorities intended to improve local quality of life. But he said state government dysfunction clearly weighed on responses this year.
There were bright spots in the responses. Solid majorities said Sangamon County was a good place to live, raise kids and work, while 60 percent rated the overall quality of education good to excellent.
Well over 90 percent reported having health insurance compared with 88 percent in first year of the survey in 2013.
The detailed survey is scheduled for online release Wednesday at uis.edu/surveyresearchoffice.
This article was published in The State Journal Register on July 28, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, June 5, 2017
State Finances, Health Care Among Top Concerns in Sangamon County
The results of the University of Illinois Springfield's biannual economic outlook survey for Sangamon County have been released.
Sixty-one percent of organizations say state finances is one of their top three concerns, which is the highest percentage ever.
The survey also found many people are worried about the healthcare sector in Sangamon County.
"It's a very large and very important part of Sangamon County economy," Matthew Case, director of Survey Research Office, said. "But in this survey, there's a little bit of a drop off in this survey in terms of the optimism. So right now only 55 percent say they expect the health care industry will grow compared to about 70 percent in the last two surveys."
This story aired in WICS Newschannel 20 on June 2, 2017.
Watch the story online.
Sixty-one percent of organizations say state finances is one of their top three concerns, which is the highest percentage ever.
The survey also found many people are worried about the healthcare sector in Sangamon County.
"It's a very large and very important part of Sangamon County economy," Matthew Case, director of Survey Research Office, said. "But in this survey, there's a little bit of a drop off in this survey in terms of the optimism. So right now only 55 percent say they expect the health care industry will grow compared to about 70 percent in the last two surveys."
This story aired in WICS Newschannel 20 on June 2, 2017.
Watch the story online.
State budget impasse weighs on local economic outlook
The prospect of a third Illinois fiscal year without a budget is weighing more than ever on expectations of local employers.
A spring economic-outlook survey released Friday showed 61 percent of businesses and other organizations listed state finances among their top three concerns for the coming year, the highest percentage since the University of Illinois Springfield Survey Research Office began spring and fall surveys in 2008.
The percentage listing state government has steadily increased since 2012, said Josh Collins, director of business and community development for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
“Obviously, it affects cash flow of those who are owed money, and even business-to-business folks. A lot of their suppliers are owed money,” said Collins. “It’s just a cyclical issue. You’re either worried about getting money or you’re worried about your customers.”
The chamber and UIS are partners in the survey.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 2, 2017.
Read the story online.
A spring economic-outlook survey released Friday showed 61 percent of businesses and other organizations listed state finances among their top three concerns for the coming year, the highest percentage since the University of Illinois Springfield Survey Research Office began spring and fall surveys in 2008.
The percentage listing state government has steadily increased since 2012, said Josh Collins, director of business and community development for The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.
“Obviously, it affects cash flow of those who are owed money, and even business-to-business folks. A lot of their suppliers are owed money,” said Collins. “It’s just a cyclical issue. You’re either worried about getting money or you’re worried about your customers.”
The chamber and UIS are partners in the survey.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on June 2, 2017.
Read the story online.
Monday, March 27, 2017
United Way: 30 minutes to improve our community
Four years ago, the University of Illinois Springfield Center for State Policy & Leadership, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, The Citizen's Club of Springfield and United Way announced we were conducting the first-ever Sangamon County Citizen Survey.
The initial survey was designed to focus on nine areas affecting quality of life, with subsequent surveys to focus on each of these areas. The survey is in an effort to help us better understand the issues affecting Sangamon County residents and provides a wealth of information concerning education, environment, social well-being, public safety, economy, infrastructure, culture and recreation plus government and civic participation.
Feedback and participation in these local surveys provide organizations with data and information needed to identify and address our community's greatest challenges. The survey also provided a benchmark from which we can measure changes within these areas and adjust strategies accordingly.
In a few weeks, the UIS Center for State Policy & Leadership will begin conducting the 2017 Sangamon County Citizen Survey. This year's survey will have a greater focus on economic and infrastructure issues, including employment, the local business environment, taxes, transportation and utilities.
This year's survey will be conducted by mail to allow participants more time to consider responses and complete at their convenience.
Results of the 2017 Sangamon County Community Survey will be available in late-July with a formal presentation of results at a Citizen's Club of Springfield meeting on July 28.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 25, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
The initial survey was designed to focus on nine areas affecting quality of life, with subsequent surveys to focus on each of these areas. The survey is in an effort to help us better understand the issues affecting Sangamon County residents and provides a wealth of information concerning education, environment, social well-being, public safety, economy, infrastructure, culture and recreation plus government and civic participation.
Feedback and participation in these local surveys provide organizations with data and information needed to identify and address our community's greatest challenges. The survey also provided a benchmark from which we can measure changes within these areas and adjust strategies accordingly.
In a few weeks, the UIS Center for State Policy & Leadership will begin conducting the 2017 Sangamon County Citizen Survey. This year's survey will have a greater focus on economic and infrastructure issues, including employment, the local business environment, taxes, transportation and utilities.
This year's survey will be conducted by mail to allow participants more time to consider responses and complete at their convenience.
Results of the 2017 Sangamon County Community Survey will be available in late-July with a formal presentation of results at a Citizen's Club of Springfield meeting on July 28.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on March 25, 2017.
Read the entire article online.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
State finances continue to weigh on local employer outlook
State of Illinois finances remain the biggest drag on the local economy based on a survey of 330 private and public-sector employers released Tuesday by the University of Illinois Springfield.
Employers were a little more optimistic than in the spring Economic Outlook Survey. Nearly one-third said they expect the Sangamon County economy to improve in the coming year compared with 25 percent last spring.
They were less optimistic about their individual prospects compared with a year ago. A little less than half predicted a sales increase in the coming year compared with more than two-thirds expecting higher sales in the fall of 2015.
After state government, employers said government regulation, consumer confidence and finding qualified workers were their biggest concerns.
"The main difference here is those companies that do business with the state, and those who don't do business with the state," Juan Carlos Donoso, director of the UIS Research Survey Office, said after release of the survey at the fall economic outlook breakfast of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. "Those who are not doing business with the state are much more optimistic about the future of their firms and the future of the county economy," Donoso added.
Chamber President and CEO Chris Hembrough said unpaid bills and budget uncertainty have a ripple effect, including for companies that have no direct business with the state. "I talked to a business owner recently in the home-remodeling sector. They don't do any direct work with the state, it's just people holding on to their dollars," said Hembrough, who added that a permanent state budget would go a long way toward easing those concerns. "It's the cloud of uncertainty, even all the way down to not knowing what the personal income tax of the state is going to be," said Hembrough.
The full UIS survey will be released Friday.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 8, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
Employers were a little more optimistic than in the spring Economic Outlook Survey. Nearly one-third said they expect the Sangamon County economy to improve in the coming year compared with 25 percent last spring.
They were less optimistic about their individual prospects compared with a year ago. A little less than half predicted a sales increase in the coming year compared with more than two-thirds expecting higher sales in the fall of 2015.
After state government, employers said government regulation, consumer confidence and finding qualified workers were their biggest concerns.
"The main difference here is those companies that do business with the state, and those who don't do business with the state," Juan Carlos Donoso, director of the UIS Research Survey Office, said after release of the survey at the fall economic outlook breakfast of The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. "Those who are not doing business with the state are much more optimistic about the future of their firms and the future of the county economy," Donoso added.
Chamber President and CEO Chris Hembrough said unpaid bills and budget uncertainty have a ripple effect, including for companies that have no direct business with the state. "I talked to a business owner recently in the home-remodeling sector. They don't do any direct work with the state, it's just people holding on to their dollars," said Hembrough, who added that a permanent state budget would go a long way toward easing those concerns. "It's the cloud of uncertainty, even all the way down to not knowing what the personal income tax of the state is going to be," said Hembrough.
The full UIS survey will be released Friday.
This story appeared in The State Journal-Register on November 8, 2016.
Read the entire article online.
Monday, August 22, 2016
City surveying residents on how Springfield should grow
Community leaders, city officials and residents often talk about one-way streets and downtown parking, a proposed second lake and westward expansion. The city this week is mailing short surveys to about 5,000 randomly selected residents on these and other issues facing Springfield.
The city and the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission will use the survey results to help guide a 20-year comprehensive plan. The plan, which was last completed in 2000, will focus on how land in Springfield should be used and developed.
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Survey Research Office helped design the survey and will gather the responses for the steering committee.
“We are hoping for about 500 responses, a 10 percent response rate,” said Juan Carlos Donoso, director of the research office. But he noted that it could be more, as others can access the survey online.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on August 22, 2016.
Read the story online.
The city and the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission will use the survey results to help guide a 20-year comprehensive plan. The plan, which was last completed in 2000, will focus on how land in Springfield should be used and developed.
The University of Illinois Springfield’s Survey Research Office helped design the survey and will gather the responses for the steering committee.
“We are hoping for about 500 responses, a 10 percent response rate,” said Juan Carlos Donoso, director of the research office. But he noted that it could be more, as others can access the survey online.
The story was reported by The State Journal-Register on August 22, 2016.
Read the story online.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)