Gov. Bruce Rauner’s disapproval rating has almost doubled since 2015, according to a poll released Wednesday by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University.
The institute found Rauner had a 58.3 percent disapproval rating and a 35.8 percent approval rating. In a poll conducted by the institute in March 2015, Rauner’s disapproval rating was 31.4 percent and his approval rating was 36.5 percent.
The poll released Wednesday also found that House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago) was not faring any better with voters. The speaker had a 61.4 percent disapproval rating and a 25.8 approval rating.
Madigan was not polled by the institute in 2015, but an October survey showed Madigan’s disapproval rating was 63 percent and his approval rating was 26 percent.
“Clearly, both political leaders are taking a beating with voters as the Statehouse stalemate nears the two-year mark, and the gap between the two is shrinking,” said Jak Tichenor, interim director for the institute. “It’s not good news at all for either man, both of whose political fortunes are at risk heading into next year’s elections.”
The poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters who were contacted between March 4 and March 11. The margin of error for the poll was 3.1 percentage points, according to a statement from the institute.
Rauner spokeswoman Eleni Demertzis said in an email that “the governor is focused on getting Illinois back on track, not poll numbers.”
In the October poll, about 55 percent of voters surveyed disapproved of Rauner and 40 percent approved.
You could make the argument Rauner is the most vulnerable governor up for reelection. 58% disapproval in this poll: https://t.co/YADGgCYn0a
— Steven Shepard (@POLITICO_Steve) March 15, 2017
Voters surveyed did not appear to have strong feelings about the other three legislative leaders, the institute concluded.
Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) had a 25.3 percent approval rating and a 38.7 percent disapproval rating. About 32 percent said they were not sure.
Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) had a 27.1 percent approval rating and a 25.6 percent disapproval rating. About 45 percent said they had no opinion either way.
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) had a 31.1 percent approval rating and a 35.7 percent disapproval rating. About 29 percent said they were unsure.
Hunter Clauss is a digital editor for WBEZ. You can follow him at @whuntah.
