Walker Encourages Census Participation

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. – State Rep. Mark Walker, D-Arlington Heights, is encouraging residents to complete their census forms during the governor’s stay at home order.

“An accurate census count for our communities and state is vital,” Walker said. “Census forms have recently gone out and I encourage every resident to complete them. If we don’t have a complete census count, we’re liable to lose vital money from the federal government to fund services critical to seniors, resources for our schools and money for our roads and bridges.”

While early returns from the U.S. Census Bureau show an uptick in response rates in Walker’s district, they’re nowhere near the 2010 final completion rate. According to the Census Bureau, only 76% of Illinoisans participated in the last census, costing Illinois billions of dollars in federal resources used to support veterans, working and middle class families, seniors and schools. According to the Illinois Complete Count Commission, Illinois lost $123 million for every 1% of its population not counted in 2010.

“Completing the census online or using one of the Census Bureau’s hotlines is a proactive and beneficial thing people can do while observing the stay at home order,” Walker said. “The census determines the number of congressional seats we have and helps companies determine where to locate their businesses. I urge all households in our district to participate because everyone truly does count.”