Everyone Counts: Info Session Focuses On Census2020 Participation

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL — In April, the U.S. Census Bureau will begin the decennial count of every U.S. household. To help educate community members on the importance of participating in the 2020 census, the League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area will host an information session at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. The event will be held at the Palos Heights Public Library, 12501 S. 71st Ave.

Data dissemination specialist Illeana Serrano, from the U.S. Census Bureau, will be sharing information and resources for participating in the census. Serrano will also discuss why wide-spread participation is vital and debunk common myths about the census. The League of Women Voters are embarking on a nationwide public awareness and get out the county campaign. The focus will continue to be on reaching hard to count communities and ensuring these communities get included in the census count.

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The U.S. Constitution mandates that a count be taken of the country's population every ten years to determine the number of seats in Congress and distribution of federal dollars. Lower participation in 2010 resulted in Illinois losing a congressional seat.

Participation in the census is required by law. The national average for participation in the 2010 U.S. Census was 74 percent. Only one in four Cook County residents participated in the 2010 count. Getting an accurate count and boosting 2020 participation will help determine the future allocation of nearly $675 billion in federal fund for state and local government programs, including hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads and other resources based on census data.

The chief fear among citizens is that information collected in the census will be used against them. The U.S. Census Bureau collects basic demographic,
U.S. Census Bureau, which includes basic demographic, residential and economic characteristics is protected by law.

A question-and-answer session will be included at the end of the presentation. The League of Women Voters of the Palos-Orland Area includes members in approximately fifteen south suburbs, including Palos Heights, Palos Park, Palos Hills, Orland Park, Evergreen Park, Worth, Hickory Hills, Homer Glen, Oak Lawn, Mokena, Lemont, Lockport, Tinley Park, Frankfort and New Lenox.