2008 Illinois General Election Poll
This Chicago Tribune Poll is based on interviews with 500 confirmed registered voters in Illinois likely to
vote in the November 4 general election. Interviewing began the day after the final presidential debate,
Thursday evening October 16, and ended on Saturday, October 18. The potential margin of error for a
sample of this size is +/- 4.4% at the 95% level of confidence.
Likely voting was based on certainty of voting in the upcoming election. The sample included 6% who
voted absentee or participated in Illinois’ early voting program that started October 13.
Barack Obama lives up to his favorite son standing in Illinois. Some 62% hold a favorable opinion of him
versus 26% unfavorable. Over half of Collar County and Downstate voters have a favorable opinion of
him as do Independents.
Obama Opinion; Oct. 16-18, 2008
Cook Collar Down Obama McCain Unde-
Party ID
State County Counties state Voters Voters cided Dem.
Ind. GOP
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Favorable
62
78
53
52
97
13
34
89
59
21
Unfavorable
26
13
33
34
1
74
9
5
23
67
No opinion
12
8
14
14
1
12
58
6
18
12
Base:
(500)
(196)
(114)
(190)
(269)
(156)
(45)
(213)
(136)
(120)
6. “Here are names of people who may or may not be known in your area. For each, tell me your opinion of
the person.” (Shuffle order.) 7a. “Barack Obama, is your opinion of him...favorable, unfavorable, do you have
no opinion, or have you never heard of him?”
Opinion of John McCain is divided. About half of Collar County, Downstate, and Independents are
favorable.
McCain Opinion; Oct. 16-18, 2008
Cook Collar Down Obama McCain Unde-
Party ID
State County Counties state Voters Voters cided Dem.
Ind. GOP
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Favorable
42
31
49
49
14
93
36
16
48
84
Unfavorable
42
54
35
35
72
1
14
71
30
7
No opinion
15
14
15
15
12
6
50
12
21
9
Base:
(500)
(196)
(114)
(190