CQ Risk Rating: Leans Democratic 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Lane Evans (D) | 132,494 | 55% |
| Mark Baker (R) | 108,853 | 45% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 21, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Lane Evans | 26,138 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Mark Baker | 27,994 | 65% |
| Harold Bayne | 12,104 | 28% |
| Michael Curtiss | 2,697 | 6% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Military Bases | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
ILLINOIS 17
:
West - Rock Island; Moline
The 17th, where John Deere developed the first self-cleaning steel plow
in 1837, includes the rich farm lands along the Mississippi River and Rock
Island and Moline, two of the four industrial Quad Cities that straddle the
river into Iowa.
Defense cutbacks have drained jobs from one of the district's industrial
mainstays, the Rock Island Arsenal. Corn, soybeans and hogs fuel most of the
rest of the district's economy. Even the industrial sector depends on
agriculture: it's dominated by the nation's two largest farm equipment
manufacturers. Sliding farm profits have forced the Quad Cities to recruit
new types of manufacturing.
The 17th used to vote solidly Republican, despite heavily unionized
constituencies in Rock Island and Moline that routinely back Democrats. When
the farm economy soured in the late 1970s, the rural parts of the district
swung Democratic. Since then, most of the district has been gradually
returning to its Republican roots. In a few local races, however, opposition
to industrial hog production has kept some rural voters in the Democratic
camp.
Major Industry
Farm equipment manufacturing, agriculture, defense
Military Bases
Rock Island Arsenal, 176 military, 6,569 civilian (1997)
Population
571,585 (1990)
Cities
Moline, 42,757; Quincy, 40,545; Rock Island, 39,679 (1996)
People
38% rural; 17% age 65+ (ranks second of 20 in state; top third nationally);
59% married couples, 26% married couples with children; 13% college educated
(ranks 15 of 20 in state; bottom third nationally); 48% white collar (ranks
18 of 20 in state; bottom third nationally), 31% blue collar (ranks fifth of
20 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
95% white, 3% black, 1% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$25,195 (ranks 16 of 20 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Bishop Hill, established in 1846 by Swedish religious dissidents searching
for a "utopia on the prairie."
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 17
