Among registered voters, private sector taxpayers outnumber state and local public sector workers and pensioners over 20 to one in the 47th Illinois House district, according to a DuPage Policy Journal analysis.
The 47th District covers parts of Cook and Dupage counties in Illinois, including Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Westmont. It is represented in Springfield by Republican Rep. Patricia R. Bellock (R-Westmont).
As of the March 2016 primary election, there were 81,947 registered voters in the 47th District; 78,249 are private sector taxpayers and 3,698 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 49 percent for all voters. It was 65 percent for public employees and 78 percent for public pensioners.
In 2012, voter turnout was 62 percent. But 52 percent of public employees turned out, and 87 percent of public pensioners.
The numbers- Illinois District 47
| Registered Voters: | 81,947 | |
| Government Employees | 2,024 | 2.5% |
| Government Pensioners | 1,674 | 2% |
| TOTAL: | 3,698 | 4.5% |
| 2014 Votes: | 40,383 | |
| Government Employees | 1,325 | 3% |
| Government Pensioners | 1,310 | 3% |
| TOTAL: | 2,635 | 6% |
| 2012 Votes: | 50,998 | |
| Government Employees | 1,565 | 3% |
| Government Pensioners | 1,461 | 3% |
| TOTAL: | 3,026 | 6% |
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