CHICAGO – In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of participating in the 2020 Census, state Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, will be hosting a free community breakfast at Nellie’s Restaurant in Chicago.

“An accurate count of our community is critical for our families to receive our share of funds for many of the vital services our families rely on, like public transit and our local schools,” Ramirez said. “Despite, the rhetoric coming from Trump and his allies, we must get the word out that there will NOT be a citizenship question on the census form. We will continue to fight to ensure that no one is put at risk by filling out the census.”

The United States conducts a census to count everyone residing in the country every ten years. This data is highly valuable as it provides the basis for the distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funding to be used for local schools and universities, community programs, infrastructure, health care and housing. The data is also used to determine how communities will be represented in every level government to ensure equitable representation. The census takes into account everyone living within a given geographical area, regardless of citizenship status.

Ramirez will be joined by fellow Latino Caucus members and Deputy Governor, Sol Flores for a tour of local Latino-owned businesses throughout the Chicagoland area to encourage participation in the 2020 Census. Ramirez’s event will take place at Nellie’s Restaurant, located at 2458 W. Division St. in Chicago on Saturday, September 7^th. Doors open at 9:45 and breakfast will start sharply at 10 a.m. There will be a free buffet for attendees. For more information or to RSVP, please call 773-799-8219 or email Info@RepDeliaRamirez.com

“It is critical that everyone responds to the census because the well-being of our neighborhoods depends upon it,” Ramirez said. “I encourage all concerned friends, family and neighbors to attend and learn about what they can do to make sure everyone in our community is counted.”

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – To highlight the importance of participating in the 2020 Census, state Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, is partnering with Latino Caucus legislators and the Illinois Latino Caucus Foundation to host a Census 2020 Tour.

“It is critical to ensure that every person in Illinois is counted so that we have accurate representation in Congress, and receive our fair share of funding for schools, roads and other important programs,” said Villa. “While Donald Trump and other politicians in Washington have been fearmongering, threatening to include a citizenship question on the census, it is critical that we provide facts and education on the significance of participating in the census.”

Villa is hosting a Census 2020 Tour on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Jorge’s Paleteria and Neveria, located at 110 S. Neltnor Blvd. in West Chicago. Local residents are invited to join Villa for a community talk to discuss the importance of participating in the 2020 Census. The first 100 people attending will get free ice cream. An RSVP is not required to attend, but is appreciated.

“As a Latina and the daughter of immigrant parents, I believe that the rhetoric coming out of Washington is a direct attack on our immigrant communities. It is essential that we fight misinformation and bigotry with education,” continued Villa. “I encourage local residents to join me for my Census 2020 Tour to learn about how Illinois will benefit by maximizing participation in the census. I hope to see you there.”

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Rep. Villa’s constituent service office at 630-326-9319 or at StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

### 

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. – Para dar atención a la importancia de participar en Censo 2020, la Representante Estatal Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, está trabajando con legisladores Latinos y la Fundación del Caucus Latino de Illinois para organizar la Gira del Censo 2020.

“Es crítico que aseguremos que cada persona en Illinois sea contada para que tengamos representación justa en el Congreso, y para que recibamos fondos adecuados para nuestras escuelas, carreteras y otros servicios importantes,” Villa dijo. “Ya que Donald Trump y otros políticos en Washington han tratado de intimidar a nuestra comunidad al decir que incluirán una pregunta sobre el estatus migratorio de uno, eso no el caso y tenemos que proveer la información correcta para asegurar participación en el censo.”

Villa invita a residentes locales a la Gira del Censo 2020 el sábado, 7 de septiembre de 1:30 p.m. a 3 p.m. en Jorge’s Paleteria and Neveria, cual está localizada en 110 S. Neltnor Blvd. en West Chicago. Residentes locales están invitados a acompañar a Villa para una plática comunitaria sobre la importancia de participar en el Censo 2020. Las primer 100 personas recibirán helado gratis. Registrarse no es requerido para atender, pero es apreciado. 

“Como Latina e hija de inmigrantes, pienso que la retórica saliendo de Washington es un ataque directo a las comunidades inmigrantes. Debemos luchar mala información e intolerancia con educación,” Villa dijo. “Espero que miembros de nuestra comunidad me acompañen a la Gira del Censo 2020 para aprender sobre cómo Illinois beneficiará al maximizando la participación en el censo. Los espero ver.”

Para más información o para registrarse, por favor comuníquese con la oficina de servicios al constituyente de la Rep. Villa a 630-326-9319 o StateRepKarinaVilla@gmail.com.

CHICAGO – Committed to ensuring everyone is counted and heard in the 2020 Census, state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, D-Chicago, is hosting a community conversation about the importance of participating on Saturday, September 7 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at El Tarasco Restaurant, located at 4358 W. 51st in Chicago.

“We must work like never before to overcome Donald Trump’s bigoted and politically driven attempt to discourage Latino participation in the 2020 Census,” Ortiz said. “Our communities must know that they have nothing to fear if they fill out the census, so my hope is that this event will allow local families to ask questions and have their concerns addressed.”

As the 2020 Census approaches, Ortiz and fellow members of the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus are working to ensure every community is counted, particularly focusing on “hard-to-count” which to tend to be immigrant and working class. Local residents are encouraged to meet with Ortiz and other Latino legislators to learn about how the 2020 Census will impact the share of funds communities receive for local schools, roads, and other critical services. 

“In order for us to secure equitable funds for our local schools and other critical services that help our community, we must all be counted,” Ortiz added. “I encourage local families to come out and meet with us and learn how they can help ensure their family members, friends and neighbors participate in the 2020 Census.” 

 

CHICAGO – As the 2020 Census approaches, state Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to host a census job fair and help connect local residents to upcoming job opportunities.

“Information gathered from the census will help ensure that our community has accurate representation in Congress and receives the federal funding it needs for the resources we rely on, such as schools, medical centers and infrastructure,” said Slaughter. “In order to make sure that each and every person is counted, the U.S. Census Bureau will be filling numerous positions to help get the job done, and this event will help local residents find out more about the job opportunities available.”

The event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, located at 9525 S. Halsted St. in Chicago. Representatives from the U.S. Census Office will be present to provide information on local job opportunities during the census and to assist with the application process.

“By connecting local residents with job opportunities available for the 2020 Census, we are not only helping people gain meaningful employment, but we are also helping these individuals make a difference in their communities,” said Slaughter. “I am very excited to see what opportunities the U.S. Census Bureau has to offer, and I encourage all members of our community to attend.”

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Slaughter’s constituent service office at 773-445-9700.

CHICAGO, Ill. – State Rep. Karina Villa, D-West Chicago, recently joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker as he signed an executive order to ensure that everyone living in Illinois is counted in the upcoming census.

“As the daughter of immigrants, I believe that Donald Trump’s proposed citizenship status question on the upcoming census is an attack on our immigrant communities. Adding this question will not benefit Illinois, and will only deter residents from participating in the census,” said Villa. “It is critical to ensure that every person in Illinois is counted so that we have accurate representation in Congress. I applaud the governor for pushing to invest in census education and for working to maximize participation.”

Villa is partnering with Gov. Pritzker and leaders throughout the state to push for census education, encouraging every resident of Illinois to participate in the census. The number of congressional seats held by states is determined by population, so the number of representatives Illinois has in congress could be impacted by the results of the 2020 census.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – One year ahead of the 2020 Census, state Rep. Theresa Mah, D-Chicago, has introduced a measure that would help ensure a complete and accurate count of everyone living in Illinois.

“Due to language barriers and concerns about data privacy, many residents may hesitate to participate in the census,” said Mah. “As Census Bureau data is used to determine how certain government programs are run and how much federal money is allocated to Illinois, it is critically important that the census count is accurate. My legislation encourages support for community-based organizations and local governments across the state to do outreach work to educate residents on the importance of being counted.”

Mah’s House Resolution 243 declares April 1, 2019 as Census Awareness Day in Illinois and encourages state officials to work together to ensure a fair, accurate and coordinated census count in 2020.

“An accurate census count will ensure that congressional and state legislative district boundaries adapt to population shifts and that resources are allocated fairly,” said Mah. “For Illinois to receive the resources we need and deserve, it’s critical that we begin reaching out to residents now, well in advance of Census Day in 2020.”

Mah is serving her second term representing the 2nd District, which includes the Chicago neighborhoods of McKinley Park, Pilsen, Chinatown, Bridgeport, Brighton Park and Back of the Yards. For more information, please contact Mah’s district office at 872-281-5775.

CHICAGO – State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish, D-Chicago, is joining state and local elected officials from across the nation opposing the Trump administration’s attempt to include a question regarding citizenship status in the 2020 census, which could lead to massive underrepresentation of minority residents.

“This change to the census is clearly aimed at reducing immigrant communities’ participation in the census and will lead to slashed federal funding to programs vital to immigrant families in my district and across the nation,” Kalish said. “The proposed change is just another xenophobic and racist attack that immigrant communities have consistently faced under the Trump administration.”

On Monday, Kalish joined elected officials and local governments across the nation—including the Village of Skokie—to file a “friend of the court” brief in support of plaintiffs in Department of Commerce v. New York, currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, which addresses the important issue of whether a citizenship question should be added to the 2020 census. The brief urges the Supreme Court to affirm the decision of a lower court and reject the addition of a citizenship question.

Kalish believes that the addition of a citizenship question will significantly impair the accuracy of the census and greatly diminish participation rates amongst immigrant communities. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars will be diverted away from vital programs in immigrant communities that support public education, nutrition, health care, victims of crime, community development, rehabilitation centers and unemployment insurance. The Trump administration’s move could also ultimately cause states with large minority populations like Illinois to lose representation in Congress and the Electoral College, which are based on census results.

“We cannot accept this hateful, new rule that is clearly aimed at harming immigrant communities and those who stand with them,” Kalish said. “I will continue to do everything I can to stand up for immigrant families, from opposing the citizenship question to backing pro-immigrant reforms in Springfield.”