NEW REPORT REVEALS DISAPPOINTMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT AMONG
ILLINOIS CITIZENS
Illinois citizens, particularly young people, are withdrawing from active civic engagement
Study shows support for funding civic education
Chicago, IL, November 19, 2009
A new report, released today by the
National Conference
on Citizenship, shows that Illinois citizens are disappointed, frustrated and disillusioned by recent
political scandals and the pressures of the recession. The report, co-sponsored and funded by
the Chicago-based
McCormick Foundation
and the
McCormick Freedom Project, reveals a
badly fractured civic culture, with Illinois ranking 40th in the nation. The study also found that
young people in Illinois are significantly less engaged than those in other states.
“These findings have profound implications for the civic health of our city and our state,” said
David Hiller, McCormick Foundation President and CEO. “With this report, the National
Conference on Citizenship has put a spotlight on a serious problem that must be addressed.
The report shows that while 27 percent of Americans said they trust their state government to
do what is right all or most of the time, only 15 percent of Illinoisans showed the same level of
trust.”
"Corruption in Illinois and Chicago politics has been a comic's one-liner for too long. This study
clearly demonstrates that the toll it has taken on the health of our civic life and trust in our
government is not funny," said Michael Weiser, who chairs the National Conference on
Citizenship and who was a Chicago resident for 50 years.
The report reveals declining civic involvement among all ages, but with a full 77 percent of
Illinois Millennials (ages 15-29) stating declining interest or involvement in civic engagement, as
opposed to only 71 percent nationally. Almost half of the Millennials, the state’s future leaders,
said they have little confidence in their state government.
On the positive side, while Illinois citizens are disappointed in state government, they strongly
support federal legislation to improve civic education in schools. This enthusiasm may reflect a
desire to build a more effective and ethical government for the future. The McCormick Freedom
Project and the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition have co-produced a Civic Blueprint for Illinois High
Schools that serves as a guide for integrating civic education into the school curriculum. To learn
more about the Civic Blueprint, visit
www.FreedomProject.US/DemocracySchools.
“We have the opportunity now to recognize an urgent problem and address it,” said Hiller.
“The future of our state, our country, and our democracy depend on the active engagement of
our citizens. Failing to rebuild trust and encourage the people of Illinois to become involved in
their government may have profound ramifications for the future. The good news is—the
problem can be solved, and our state can renew itself and emerge from this crisis of trust.
These findings underscore the necessity of making the political reforms that will rebuild trust
and engage all of our citizens, particularly our young people.”
To read the full Illinois Civic Health Index 2009 visit:
http://www.freedomproject.us/files/pdf/IL2009CHI-FINAL_FINAL.pdf.
About the McCormick Foundation
The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free,
democratic society by investing in our children, communities and country. Through its
grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, museums, and civic outreach program the
Foundation helps build a more active and engaged citizenry. It was established as a charitable
trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and
publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest
charities, with more than $1 billion in assets. For more information, please visit
www.McCormickFoundation.org.
About the McCormick Freedom Project
The McCormick Freedom Project, formerly the McCormick Freedom Museum, enables
informed participation in our democracy by demonstrating the relevance of the First
Amendment and the role it plays in the ongoing struggle to define and defend freedom.
Through extensive outreach initiatives our audiences improve their understanding of the First
Amendment and its importance to our democracy, engage in civic dialogue, and prepare for
their role as citizens. The McCormick Freedom Project is part of the McCormick Foundation. To
learn more about the Freedom Project’s new outreach program visit
FreedomProject.US.
About The National Conference on Citizenship
Founded in 1946 and Chartered by Congress in 1953, the National Conference on Citizenship
(NCoC) is a leader in strengthening our nation's civic life. In partnership with over 250
organizations, NCoC tracks, measures and promotes civic participation. Through this work,
NCoC helps define modern citizenship in America. More information can be found at
http://www.ncoc.net.