information provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (November 18, 2019) – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced the Illinois Primary Health Association will serve the Northwest region of Illinois for the state’s 2020 Census effort, including JoDaviess, Carroll, Whiteside, Lee, LaSalle, Bureau, Putnam, Henry, Mercer, and Rock Island Counties. All 102 counties in Illinois are now represented by 2020 Census organizers.
Over 20 organizations across the state have been awarded grants to maximize Illinois’ success in the 2020 Census. These grants, totaling over $20 million dollars, represent the largest census investment made by any state in 2019.
The organizations serving as Regional Intermediaries for the 2020 Census Grant Program are identifying other local organizations to award additional grants within their regions. This ensures funding directly supports organizations who are best equipped to connect with Illinoisans on the front lines of urban, rural, and other hard-to-reach communities.
Lansing’s Complete Count Committee has not yet been awarded any grant monies, but the Village administration and the Lansing Public Library have both designated funds to help cover expenses related to printing educational information.
In June, Governor Pritzker signed Executive Order 19-10 to secure an accurate census count in all communities across Illinois. The Order established a new Census Office, led by Census Directors Marishonta Wilkerson and Oswaldo Alvarez and a bipartisan, bicameral Census Advisory Panel.
IDHS and the Census Office have also joined with the Illinois State Board of Education to host a Census Summit for educators, childhood providers, and any other interested organizations to learn about how they can get involved in promoting the census in classrooms and child care settings across Illinois.
Find more about Illinois census work at census.illinois.gov.