Mayor Richard M. Daley is urging those Chicagoans who have not filled out their census forms to do so by the end of July to ensure everyone is counted.
Mayor Richard M. Daley is urging those Chicagoans who have not filled out their census forms to do so by the end of July to ensure everyone is counted.
“Residents of Chicago who have not already been counted should call 311 immediately because the U.S. Census Bureau’s telephone assistance line will only be available to count residents through the end of July,” Daley said in a statement.
By making sure everyone in Chicago is accounted for Daley said it could translates into more federal funding for the next 10 years.
“Now more than ever before, the sensus count is very important because it impacts programs and services that affect the lives of every resident of Chicago for the next ten years. This federal money helps fund critical programs that address a range of needs in our city and in our neighborhoods, including programs for education, public safety, transportation, community development and social services.
Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data. He added that federal funding is critical for Chicago because it depends on federal funds to help provide critical services to residents. Every Chicago resident that is not counted equals a loss of $19,000 over ten years.
Census data is used to determine the allocation of federal funds for important local programs and services, such as public transportation, school lunch programs, family support programs, senior centers and new construction, such as highways and hospitals. Census data is also used to reapportion seats in Congress and assure proper representation in state and local government.
Chicago’s census efforts have resulted in an increase in the response rate thus far, however, the goal is to get as many individuals to be counted before the deadline. The U.S. Census Bureau provided initial mail back participation rates at the end of April, and 63 percent of Chicago households returned their forms which is a significant increase over the city’s 2000 rate of 58 percent. The five percentage point increase is the second highest of the top 25 largest cities. The United States’ national rate remained the same as 2000 at 72 percent.
Individuals have until 9 a.m. Friday, July 30th to be counted over the phone. For more information call the Chicago regional office for the census at 312-454-2700.
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