Economic affordability and prices
As the 2026 midterms approach, national polling shows the economy—especially prices and affordability—is the top issue voters want congressional candidates to address. Americans broadly expect challenging economic conditions including higher prices, taxes, and unemployment risk, and neither major party holds a clear advantage on economic policy in recent surveys. Illinois, like other states, faces these pressures in household costs and state fiscal planning amid federal policy shifts.
How should Illinois prioritize responding to high prices and economic affordability concerns heading into 2026?
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Sources
Pew Research Center — https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/07/23/as-the-2026-midterms-approach-economy-is-front-and-center
By a wide margin, voters most want candidates running for Congress to talk about economic issues – with many specifically mentioning prices and affordability.
Gallup — https://news.gallup.com/poll/700448/americans-predict-challenging-2026-across-dimensions.aspx
Americans are most pessimistic about political cooperation, international disputes, China’s power in the world, the federal budget deficit and economic prosperity. Clear majorities also expect rising unemployment, taxes, prices and crime rates
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Expand state aid, price relief, and social spending to shield households from high costs
- Increase targeted assistance for working families while keeping most market rules intact
- Monitor prices and use modest, bipartisan tweaks without major new spending
- Cut taxes and regulation to lower costs through private-sector growth
- Slash state spending and taxes aggressively and minimize government economic intervention