Rep. Deering Discusses Results of 2026 Legislative Survey

Earlier this year I asked people across my district to tell me what's on their minds. Hundreds of you took the time to respond and I wanted to share some of what I've heard. Part of my job is pretty simple. Listen to the people I represent and take your priorities with me to Springfield. The message that came through louder than anything else was affordability. Over half of respondents said high taxes and the cost of living are their biggest concern. Even more troubling, 57% said what's happening in Illinois has made them consider leaving our state. Think about that. People love their communities and their neighbors. They've built businesses and raised families here. They shouldn't feel like they must leave Illinois just to afford a better life. You also sent a clear message about where government should focus its attention. This year, the Democrat majority passed the largest spending budget in state history. I know we can cut waste and reduce spending without cutting what matters. When I asked what services to prioritize when our money is tight, roads and infrastructure came out on top, followed by essential services, public safety, and education. That tells me people want government to focus on doing the basics well before finding new ways to spend your money. I also asked about several of the policy initiatives that I worked on this session. As a mom of two daughters, protecting female-only sports is close to my heart. Nearly seven in ten strongly support banning boys from participating in girls' sports. And a clear majority support giving families more choices in their children's education. I know we aren't going to agree on every issue, but representation starts with listening. These survey results will help guide the legislation I support, the issues I fight for, and the conversations I'm having in Springfield. Thank you to everyone who participated. And if you didn't get a chance to take this survey, keep talking to me. I'm listening.