Why does Illinois vote Democrat? (Chicago, Rockford: home, taxes, live)

[TruthBeautyGoodness]

When I think of Midwest states that usually vote Democrat, I think about the progressives in Minnesota and Iowa, and the Unions of Wisconsin. But when I stop to think about Illinois, I don't understand why they like in the Democratic party. They certainly are not progressive, at least compared to Minneapolis. And unions don't seem to be as prevalent in Illinois as they are in Wisconsin.
Could someone help me about? Thanks!

[TruthBeautyGoodness]

Moderator cut: orphaned Illinois is in a $13 billion from spending money, but not having the taxes to pay for it. Its like they took on half from each of the two major parties and put them together.

[vanburen81]

Historically there's been a huge Democratic machine there. Think Mayor Daley.

[brubaker]

Moderator cut: orphaned my answer is:
African Americans.

Where have Seattle's lefties gone?
And that was 2005 before Barack Obama.

Same thing, different link:
Study Ranks America's Most Liberal and Conservative Cities

Download bulky file for your own narcoleptic edification:
alt.coxnewsweb.com/statesman/metro/081205libs.pdf

[Metro Matt]

Illinois votes Democratic because 99% of the state lives in Metro Chicago.

[JerichoHW]

Im an ex-Illinois Democrat... I have learned that the party is clearly to corrupt to maintain itself, and the local politicians in my district only continue to turn me more conservative every day. With that said, Chicago literally controls Illinois politics and normally they choose a democrat. The rest of the state is much more conservative, and in the past has even tried to break off and form their own state that excludes Chicago.

On a tangent the Republicans here in Illinois really aren't any better then the democrats, just as corrupt heck one of them is in jail right now. It just goes to show you the mess Illinois is in politically.

[CharlotteNCRepublican]

Chicago, is enormously Liberal, democratic, and Hispanic. Also, it's a major city, so it's prone to being much more democratic.

(Chicago) Cook County, IL Voted 76.21% for Obama, yes it's Obama's home city, but it's still really far-left
In 2004, it voted 70.25% for Kerry
In 2000, it voted 68.63% for Gore
In 1996, it voted 66.80% for Clinton
In 1992, it voted 58.20% for Clinton

Before 1992, Republicans, still couldn't win it, but at least hit over 40%, which helped them carry the state in 1968-1988

In 1988, 55-43 Democrat (State went 51% Republican)
In 1984, 51-48 Democrat (State went 56% Republican)
In 1980, 52-39 Democrat (Yes, under 40, but the Dems didn't win by ridiculous margins. ) (State went 49% Republican, 41% Democratic)

I think you get the point. Chicago owns Illinois on a leash. Also, the Illinois GOP, are very messy, unorganized, and pretty dumb.

[Thomas R.]

Going by NY Times Election Map Chicago is much of it, but Peoria is also apparently pretty Democratic.

President Map - Election Results 2008 - The New York Times

Now in 2008 Democrats carried many counties well outside Chicago's metro, not just Peoria's, but this might be a "home-state" issue. Exempting Gore in 2000, and Bush Sr. in 1992, Presidential candidates usually do well in their home state.

I think other issues are

I believe Illinois has a good deal of Catholics without being a state that's particularly religious. Non-observant Catholics I think actually tend to be more liberal than non-observant Protestants or the general populace.

Religious Identity: States Differ Widely
State of the States: Importance of Religion

I think Illinois historically had a large foreign population, some of whom retained some roots, and foreign immigrants tended to be Democratic unless they were fleeing a Leftist or anti-clerical regime. (So Cubans, Vietnamese, the Hmong, and a few others are more conservative. Poles might be, but that might depend on when they arrived)

I think Illinois actually does/did have a fairly strong Labor Union presence.

[LexusNexus]

Originally Posted by TruthBeautyGoodness

When I think of Midwest states that usually vote Democrat, I think about the progressives in Minnesota and Iowa, and the Unions of Wisconsin. But when I stop to think about Illinois, I don't understand why they like in the Democratic party. They certainly are not progressive, at least compared to Minneapolis. And unions don't seem to be as prevalent in Illinois as they are in Wisconsin.
Could someone help me about? Thanks!

Illinois is a great state, a state of quiet character and quality. Moderator cut: national politics You will never find a northern state like Illinois (Yankee country) voting the way of the South.

Moderator cut: national politics

[DANNYY]

Chicago is a very left city. Chicagoland totally pwns the rest of the state.

Every big city in Illinois is a suburb of Chicago, besides Peoria & Rockford, both of which I have a feeling one day will be apart of the same CSA as well.

Illinois PWNED by it's premier city. Like the Republicans there in rural Illinois or in Springfield can't even do anything about it.