P a g e | 32
Government & Civic Participation
The perception of local
leadership in Sangamon
County shows some
variation from the 2013
Sangamon County Citizen
Survey. In 2015,
respondents are more likely
to report confidence in
local leaders and local
elected leaders compared
to 2013. Additionally,
respondents are 10
percentage points more
likely to indicate Sangamon
County has strong leaders
compared to 2013. The
chart to the right illustrates
changes in the perception
of leadership.
Sangamon County Leadership
70%
60%
50%
40%
58%
60%
59%
52%
41%
31%
30%
20%
10%
0%
2013 Survey
2015 Survey
Percent who say Sangamon County has strong leaders
Percent who are confident in local leaders
Percent who are confident in local elected leaders
KEY FINDINGS:
Forty-one percent of Sangamon County residents feel Sangamon County has
“strong” leadership. This perception has increased by 10 percentage points from the
2013 Sangamon County Citizen Survey.
Fifty-nine percent of Sangamon County residents are confident that local elected
leaders can effectively address local problems. This perception has increased seven
percentage points from the 2013 Sangamon County Citizen Survey.
The youngest respondents, ages 18-24, generally have positive perceptions of local
leadership. Seventy-four percent of the youngest respondents offer the view that
Sangamon County has “strong” leaders. Eighty-two percent of the youngest
respondents report confidence in local elected leaders and 71 percent report
confidence in the ability of local leaders to address local problems. In comparison,
respondents ages 35-44 are less optimistic about local leadership. Fifty-six percent of
these respondents report confidence in local leaders and local elected leaders.
Furthermore, only 38 percent of these respondents make the evaluation Sangamon
County has “strong” leaders.
African-American respondents (50 percent) are mo