CHICAGO – Preliminary exit poll results from the Republican primary in Illinois show the economy remains the top issue for voters.

Edison Research conducted the exit poll Tuesday for The Associated Press and other media at 35 randomly selected polling places around Illinois. It shows the majority of voters chose the economy as their top concern, and nearly half say the nation's economic conditions were getting worse. Just one in five says it is improving.

The top factor for four in ten voters was the ability to beat President Barack Obama. About a quarter say it's more important to choose a candidate with strong moral character.