Illinois Census Response Lagging

BY KAY SHIPMAN, FARM WEEK

Illinoisans are behind and running out of time to get counted in the 2020 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced it will stop collecting data at the end of September instead of the end of October.

As of Tuesday, Illinois’ response rate was 68.2%, which is lower than 2010’s response of 70.5%.

Effingham County's response rate is at 75.3%. In four Illinois counties, however, the response rates were less than 50%. The counties include:

• Alexander, 45.2%
• Calhoun, 43%
• Hardin, 32.6%
• Henderson, 43.8%

For the latest response rate, view a census response rate map here. The map shows how cities and towns across the country are responding and is updated daily. The map also shows the comparable response rate from the 2010 Census.

On Aug. 3, Census Bureau officials stated all field data collection by knocking on doors and self response options online or by phone or mail would end Sept. 30. The shortened collection would allow the Census Bureau to review and process data, meeting its Dec. 31 deadline. Census information is used to redraw legislative districts for both the Illinois General Assembly and Congress as well as county governments and municipalities.

Accurate census counts are critical for funding resources across the state.

Census data directs funding for emergency planning, preparedness and recovery efforts. Census data is being used to address COVID-19 pandemic efforts. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act allocates payments to state, local and tribal governments based on the most recent census population data.

More than 100 federal programs distribute funding based on census data, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicare Part B, Federal Pell Grants, the National School Lunch Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Title 1 Education Grants, Special Education Grants and Head Start.

Additional programs include low income home energy assistance, highway planning and construction, school breakfast programs, community development block grants, unemployment insurance, water and waste disposal systems for rural communities, firefighter grants, and weatherization assistance for low income residents.

Any individual who did not receive a census invitation in the mail may go online and click on “start questionnaire.” Below a login box is a prompt -- “if you do not have a census ID, click here.”