Morton Grove voters said they were opposed to Republican candidate Bruce Rauner, who is trying to defeat incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn.
Voters agreed Rauner, a wealthy venture capitalist, would look out only for the interests of the upper classes if he is elected governor.
“Rauner is rich and always has been. He doesn’t care about raising minimum wages,” Sam Nelson said. Nelson said he was watching the outcome on a ballot referendum, which calls for raising the minimum wage from $8.25 to $10 an hour.
Other voters said they were eager to see the minimum wage raised.
“Minimum wage needs to be increased to $10. I have hope in Quinn, but not in Rauner,” said Olga K., who declined to give her last name.
Some voters said they wanted someone in office who was once in their shoes. They agreed that Rauner wouldn’t be up for raising the minimum wages.
Several voters expressed disdain for all the candidates.
“A bunch of clowns are running for office,” Nelson said.
A few residents said they didn’t favor one candidate over the other but went to the polls anyway.
Residents agreed they were pleased to put the election campaign behind them, saying the many attack ads aired on TV were childish, foolish and unprofessional.
“They wasted so much money on poor advertising,” said Olga K.
Another voter, Vicky Ochana, said she favored the so-called “millionaire tax,” which would boost taxes by 3 percent for those who earn more than $1 million per year.
“The rich are getting richer, and the poor are getting poorer and that’s what Rauner wants! I say tax the rich,” said Ochana.
Another ballot measure would require employers to include birth control in all insurance coverage.
“Birth control should be covered. It’s ridiculous that it’s even on the ballot,” said Lisa Stavros of Morton Grove. “It’s my right to be able to get birth control and that right of mine shouldn’t be taken away.”
Residents said they are eager to watch the election results and see what the outcome will be.
Others said it was pointless to watch. “There’s not much of a difference who will win. They’re both politicians who lie,” said Nelson.