2020 Census: You Count!

WHY SHOULD IT MATTER TO ME ?

Many residents think census data is only used to determine the number of legislative seats Illinois has in Washington or Springfield. This is only a part of what is determined by census results. Census participation and results also determine the amount of federal money Illinois receives each year to support: • Infrastructure needs, such as road construction and repair; • Schools and school districts in your community; • Hospitals and emergency healthcare centers for the insured and uninsured; • Social services programs that provide assistance for senior citizens, veterans and low-income families; and • Large companies’ and local business enterprises’ decisions to potentially build or expand their corporate offices or factories, bringing employment opportunities to communities.


AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL ILLINOIS RESIDENTS:

Every 10 years, a census is taken of all persons living in the United States. It is important that every Illinois resident be counted so our state population accurately reflects our needs. While many Illinoisans will answer the census questionnaire when it arrives, some demographics are consistently under counted due to low participation. The following groups are historically under counted in the census: • Veterans, military and personnel living on Illinois military bases; • Minority communities; • Retirees spending their spring and summer in Illinois and wintering in a warmer climate; • Illinois university/college students with a permanent residence outside Illinois; • Persons living in large housing units or apartment complexes; • Foreign born residents (documented and undocumented) living and/or working in Illinois; • Farmers and their families residing in rural Illinois counties; • Children under age 5; and • Homeless population. Every resident of Illinois is depending on you to make sure Illinois counts by participating in this important opportunity. Jesse White Illinois Secretary of State Chair, Illinois Complete Count Commission

CENSUS DAY IS APRIL 1, 2020

The most important thing you can do is respond to the census questionnaire when you receive it. There will be multiple ways to respond: • Online – For the first time, this census questionnaire can be completed online using your personal computer. If you do not have a computer or access to the internet, please visit your local library and ask to use a public computer. • Phone – The U.S. Census Bureau will have a phone system set up so you can call and complete the census questionnaire at your convenience. • Mail – If you do not choose to complete the questionnaire online or utilize the phone system, you can still submit your questionnaire via U.S. mail. Confidentiality: Your census questionnaire answers are kept confidential by the U.S. Census Bureau. The information is not shared with other federal or state government agencies.

Information found here is taken from Census 2020: Making sure Illinois Counts by Illinois Complete Court Commission

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