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Poll says Illinois' small businesses appear to favor health care law

The Illinois-based Campaign for Better Health Care reports that  63% of small business owners said they want the Affordable Care Act kept intact. The figure grows to 68% when respondents learn more details about what's contained in the law. Only 22% of respondents said they want the law overturned.

Also, those surveyed appear to embrace the idea of a health-insurance exchange. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would either participate in the exchange, or consider doing so if one were set up.

Legislative efforts to establish an exchange have stalled in advance of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act. And, Governor Pat Quinn has shown no clear signs of issuing an executive order. The campaign's Jim Duffett says it's too bad the governor won't intervene.

"Gov. Cuomo, a month or so ago, he didn't wait for the Supreme Court to act. He issued his executive order and even Gov. Chafee of Rhode Island, I think back in December or January, did an executive order too" Duffet noted.

Overall, Duffett says the law is good for small business.

"Contrary to political spin and popular belief, small business owners in Illinois do not want the Supreme Court to throw out the Affordable Care Act. Illinois small businesses see this law as helping everyone have coverage and bringing down health care costs" Duffett said.

Duffett says he's confident the nation's high court will affirm the health care law.  He says that's because many aspects of the act enjoy widespread conservative support.