CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she's not surprised that a new survey suggests nearly three-quarters of Chicagoans feel the city is moving in the wrong direction.
The so-called Chicago Index, a quarterly public opinion survey conducted on behalf of Crain's Chicago Business and the Daily Line, showed 73 percent of those questioned feel Chicago is on the wrong track; and only 16 percent give Mayor Lightfoot high marks. A small consolation for her: even fewer - seven percent - think well of the City Council.
Additionally, 67 percent of survey respondents said reducing public corruption was essential to focus on in the next two years, while 57 percent listed improving the performance of Chicago's schools as essential. Forty-three percent of those surveyed listed reforming the Chicago Police Department as essential.
Mayor Lightfoot said she is not surprised, because we are living through difficult times of COVID-19 and economic upheaval and people are angry.
"These are very uncertain times for folks. When you see the number of people who have lost their jobs, lost their businesses, are fearful of their own health, it's not surprising that people are feeling that weight on them," Lightfoot said.
"What I know is, we have got to keep focus on making sure we are saving people's lives, we are educating people on what they can do to protect themselves from the pandemic, and to continue to work on a robust recovery."
The good news: more than three-quarters of those surveyed believe Chicago is a great place to visit; and even more love the fire department and the park district.
Conversely, only 37 percent said they were satisfied or very satisfied with the Chicago Police Department; and only 44 percent said Chicago was a good or excellent place to live.
