Officials urge census participation in spite of pandemic

Though the new coronavirus pandemic is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, Gov. JB Pritzker and other state officials on Wednesday urged residents to complete the census and ensure the state does not lose hundreds of millions in federal funds.

The census will help determine Illinois’ share of $675 billion in federal dollars each year for public programs like Medicaid. Over $19 billion in federal dollars to Illinois is tied to the results of the census.

Pritzker said that even if one percent of the population is undercounted, it could mean the state loses $195 million annually for the next 10 years.

“It is important to look beyond this fight today and to take a moment to think about our future,” he said during his Wednesday press conference. He added the current pandemic has illustrated the importance of the state having the necessary funds on hand to battle an unforeseen catastrophe.

The state has previously committed $29 million to improve education and access to the census for residents across the state. Of that, $20 million in grants has been dedicated to over 350 local and community organizations to help contact residents.

Officials have asked residents to submit their census through a federal website. The U.S. Census Bureau has delayed and extended several deadlines due to the pandemic.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said during her Wednesday press conference that an accurate count will give Illinois a greater say in Congress, which in turn will lead to more funds when it comes time to pass stimulus packages like the coronavirus-related packages approved in recent weeks.

“Revenue from the government depends on population, and that depends on the census,” she said. “Step up and make sure everyone is counted.”

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