Proclamation – .pdf 226 kb
In 2020, the United States Census Bureau will perform a nationwide census as it has done every ten years since 1790 as mandated by Article 1, Section 2 of the United State Constitution to count all people living in the United States and its territories. The City of West Chicago is committed to working with the Census Bureau to ensure that every West Chicago resident is counted.
Mayor Ruben Pineda issued a Mayoral Proclamation at the City Council meeting of April 15, 2019, that supports the creation and formation of a Complete Count Committee (CCC) to plan and conduct local efforts and promotional activities to increase community participation in the 2020 Census. Mayor Pineda recognizes the impact and importance that an accurate Census has in shaping the West Chicago community.
Federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based on population totals and breakdowns by sex, age, race and other factors. Communities benefit the most when the Census counts everyone. When an individual responds to the Census, they are helping their community to get its fair share of the more than $675 billion per year in federal funds spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.
The CCC will bring together a cross-section of community members from other local government agencies, media, education, business and religious organizations to form a team. The Committee will collaborate with community members to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 Census count. The Committee will assist residents in overcoming cultural, economic, technological, or linguistic barriers to participate in the 2020 Census.
“There is too much riding on this Census for West Chicagoans to sit this one out. We need to have an accurate 2020 Census,” explained Mayor Pineda. ”We are counting on the full support of our community partners to assist us in our efforts.”
The months leading up to April 1, 2020 should bring a Census buzz in West Chicago, as the local CCC begins the job of reaching out to the community to spread the word, with the goal of having everyone counted.
