Illinois Poll Released by Research 2000 for St Louis Post Dispatch: Barack Obama 56%, John McCain 36%

Here are the latest results from the Illinois poll by Research 2000 for St Louis Post Dispatch published on USAElectionPolls.com:

There were 800 voters polled on 9/15-18.

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Quote:

Fifty percent (50%) of Illinois voters say that local reporters will try to help Obama win the White House while 8% believe they will try to help McCain. Thirty-three percent (33%) believe the media will try to remain neutral and offer unbiased coverage. These figures are similar to perceptions on a national basis.

This past week has been very positive for Obama as he steadily gained ground on McCain in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll. He also regained a slight advantage in the Electoral College projections. Consumer confidence fell sharply during the week and the shift in focus to economic issues benefitted Obama.

McCain has the support of 88% of Illinois Republicans, while 91% of the state’s Democrats are backing Obama. The Democrat has a twenty-one point advantage among unaffiliated voters. In Illinois, the home state for the Democratic senator, Obama held a commanding 20 percentage-point lead among the 800 likely voters polled in that state: 56 percent to 36 percent for McCain, a senator from Arizona.

Research 2000 pollster Del Ali said there's little doubt that Obama will carry Illinois on Nov. 4. But in Missouri, McCain appears to be in a slightly stronger position than his Democratic rival.

McCain improved his standing among fellow Republicans as well as independents.

In the July poll, 81 percent of Republicans supported McCain. Now that figure is 88 percent. Independents polled in July leaned toward Obama. This time, they leaned toward McCain.

Issues may have played a role. In both Missouri polls, Obama was seen as more trustworthy when it comes to handling the economy. But this time, the Democrat's edge over McCain is far less (5 percentage points) than it was in the summer (16 percentage points).

Meanwhile, McCain continues to hold a double-digit lead when those polled were asked who they trusted more in handling international affairs and the U.S. campaign against terrorism.

Source: Current Polls, Electoral College Results