Among registered voters, private sector taxpayers outnumber state and local public sector workers and pensioners nearly nine to one in the 106th Illinois House district, according to a Chambana Sun analysis.
The 106th District covers parts of Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, Vermilion and Woodford counties in Illinois. It is represented in Springfield by Republican Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Pontiac).
As of the March 2016 primary election, there were 70,601 registered voters in the 106th District; 64,244 are private sector taxpayers and 6,357 state or local government employees or pensioners.
The analysis comes amidst a raging debate over rising state and local government payroll spending and massive public pension debts, incurred unbeknownst to many local elected officials and taxpayers.
While they represent a small percentage of the overall vote, state and local government employees and pensioners do vote at higher rate than the average voter.
According to the analysis, voter turnout in 2014 was 47 percent for all voters. It was 65 percent for public employees and 80 percent for public pensioners.
In 2012, voter turnout was 59 percent. But 49 percent of public employees turned out, and 87 percent of public pensioners.
The numbers- Illinois District 106
| Registered Voters: | 70,601 | |
| Government Employees | 3,901 | 5.5% |
| Government Pensioners | 2,456 | 3.5% |
| TOTAL: | 6,357 | 9% |
| | | |
| 2014 Votes: | 33,444 | |
| Government Employees | 2,521 | 7% |
| Government Pensioners | 1,956 | 6% |
| TOTAL: | 4,477 | 13% |
| | | |
| 2012 Votes: | 41,609 | |
| Government Employees | 2,939 | 7% |
| Government Pensioners | 2,139 | 5% |
| TOTAL: | 5,078 | 12% |
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