Illinois Census Activities Get $29 Million

Illinois is investing tens of millions of dollars to make sure no one is missed in the 2020 census.

State lawmakers included $29 million in the budget. The majority of the money will go to community groups to educate the public on how the census works and how the government uses the information it collects, according to Sol Flores, a deputy governor leading the census efforts.

She said about 10 percent will be earmarked for radio, television and online ads encouraging census participation. And a small amount will go to the administration of the grants and ad campaign.

The governor will appoint a new 12-member panel to oversee giving out this round of funding. Flores said some members will be the same as on the Complete Count Commission.

In its initial report, the commission asked for $25 million for census activities. The Chicago Urban League (Chicago, IL) released a study earlier this year that argued $33 million was needed to get an accurate count.

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