While most say the county is a good place to live, work and raise kids, it's not all a rosy picture. It found crime is a concern, most want better roads and additional events like outdoor festivals and farmer's markets. But overall, the reviews were positive.
Dr. Ashley Kirzinger is Director of the University of Illinois Springfield Survey Research Office which called and asked residents more than 100 quality of life questions. She says it was surprising to find younger people have a brighter outlook for Sangamon County.
Among those getting a call, Mayor Mike Houston's wife. The Mayor says he found little new in the findings. Only about half said they have confidence in the county's elected leaders to address problems.
The survey showed strong majorities felt their children get a quality education at local schools. But poverty was also evident as one in five say they have had trouble accessing food and health care in the past year. While unemployment remains low in the county, 21 percent said they are underemployed.
