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Despite Improvement, Illinois Voters Very Worried About Economy

By John Dodge
CHICAGO (CBS)
-- Despite clear signs that the nation's economy has been improving, an overwhelming percentage of Illinois voters are worried about the direction of the nation's economy in the next year.

A total of 82 percent of Illinois voters are very worried (41) or somewhat worried (41) about the economy, according to early exit poll data from Edison Research, provided exclusively to CBS 2.

Only 3 percent are "not at all worried."

Nationally, economic indicators show progress in the past two years.

Unemployment is down to 5.9 percent, from 7.2 percent in 2012.

Economic confidence is rising.

And the overall growth of the economy is 3.5 percent, up from 2.5 percent in 2012.

However, the fiscal standing in Illinois is tenuous. Job security is on the minds of Illinois voters.

The state's growing pension deficit and budget shortfalls are among the worst in the nation.

The state's credit rating is at the bottom of all 50 states, with all the major services issuing negative ratings.

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