Fill out your forms and get counted

Have you been counted yet?

If yes, congratulations. You've done your part in determining how $400 billion in federal funding is allocated for such things as hospitals, job training centers, schools and bridges.

You've also taken your step in helping the state divvy up among municipalities their share of the state income tax, motor fuel tax and sales taxes from purchases outside of Illinois.

And you've helped put in motion the redistricting of Congressional and state legislative offices.

It only takes 10 minutes every 10 years to do these things. It's a good return on your investment of time and we urge those of you who have put it off to take the time today.

Last week, on April 1 or Census Day, Daily Herald staff writer Jamie Sotonoff reported that suburban residents have filled out the form at a higher rate than most Americans. But there are still many more people who need to do it.

Towns like Huntley, Geneva and Sugar Grove and Wheaton, Libertyville and South Elgin have returned the forms at rates higher than 60 percent. Good for them. In a town like Geneva, that will help them determine whether they should increase the number of aldermanic seats on the Geneva City Council.

But towns like North Chicago, Bensenville, Hanover Park and Wheeling are all less than the national average. Residents there need to stand up and be counted so those communities do not lose out on what is rightly coming to them in terms of federal and state dollars.

"We, in Bensenville, have a huge population in terms of apartment buildings," said Village Clerk JoEllen Ridder. "You have to get people to understand how to it's going to help them. That there'll be a benefit to them. That no only will we get state money, but we'll get federal money."

In these tough times for many local governments, getting that money is key. They need it to pay employees and fix roads.

"In a recession, we're looking for revenue any way we can," said Naperville Assistant to the City Manager Dan DiSanto. The city conducted special censuses in 2003 and 2008, he said, in order to fill budget holes. "We would have had to lay off more people if it were not for the census. We're able to keep more boots on the ground."

Residents in some communities will be receiving second forms in the mail to serve as a good reminder to fill it out. And census workers will start knocking on doors in May at those homes where a form hasn't been returned.

"If you fill it out and return it by mail, no one will come to your door," DiSanto said, explaining that some are wary of giving out information in that kind of format.

With the national goal set at more than 72 percent (the 2000 figure) there is much work to be done. If you have questions, go to 2010.census.gov/2010census/how/questions.php. Or call (866) 872-6868. Then get counted.