Join state, local dignitaries to kick off Elgin 2020 Census Campaign
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal government allocates almost $19 billion in annual funding for critical community services in Illinois.
Experts estimate that each person counted represents $1,500 in federal funds for Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan, Section 8 Housing Vouchers, National School Lunch Program and more.
With the population count from 2010 for Elgin being approximately 108,000, it means that Elgin would receive approximately $162 million per year in federal grant funding if there was no population growth and everyone is counted.
However, officials believe that Elgin has grown since 2010 and even more funding is at stake to support the people who live here. The Census takes place every 10 years.
Along with a number of organizations, the city of Elgin and Gail Borden Public Library District are committed to the Census campaign.
Recently, the Gail Borden Public Library District was awarded two grants from Forefront and the Illinois Secretary of State to conduct a public education campaign for boosting participation in hard-to-count communities.
The Elgin Census Kickoff will be at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, with the "Debut of World's Largest Census Tablet" at Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin. There also will be crafts and refreshments.
Volunteers are welcome as members of organizations or individuals wanting to help.
The committee would like to specifically thank the funding bodies and the Grand Victoria Foundation, a member of the Forefront funders group.
Assistant City Manager Laura Valdez-Wilson of the city of Elgin and Denise Raleigh of the Gail Borden Public Library (who chaired this effort in 2010) are co-chairs for the 2020 Elgin Complete Count effort.
The leadership of the committee is gratified that so many organizations and people have already committed to be part of this effort.
The Mayor's Advisory Committee consists of 17 community leaders: Honorable Manuel Barbosa, retired federal judge; Brian McGuire, Hanover Township supervisor; Scott Berger, Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment; Carole Medal, Gail Borden Public Library executive director; Michael Brown, Amita St. Joseph Health president; state Rep. Anna Moeller; state Sen. Cristina Castro; Steve Monroy, MALDEF attorney; Gene Crume, Judson University president; Linda Deering, Advocate Sherman Health president, Franklin Ramirez, Elgin Township supervisor; Jaime Garcia, Centro de Informacion executive director; David Sam, Elgin Community College president; Carol Gieske, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce CEO; Tony Sanders, Elgin Area School District U-46 CEO; Ana Lalley, Elgin Chief of Police; and Todd Stirn, Burlington Central Unit District 301 superintendent.
Subcommittee chairs include: Karla Jimenez, Amber Peters, Bob Langlois, Elisa Lara, Jaime Garcia, Liz Clemmons, Molly Center, Elena Gardea, Ketkesy Herena, Perry Maier, Pastor Abi Raices, Alan Thavisouk, Mike Lee, Carol Gieske, Linda Ramirez and Kathy Meisinger. Karen Fox assists with facilitation of the committee.
Nearly 100 people have already agreed to join the Census effort, but this campaign needs everyone to be successful. The message is simple - being counted makes a difference to the future of this community:
1. An accurate count brings financial support for services in the community;
2. An accurate count can bring jobs to the community;
3. An accurate count impacts democratic representation;
4. By law, the census information is not shared with anyone, including federal, state and local agencies.
Some organizations already included in the 2020 Census effort: ACE Alignment Collaborative for Education, Administer Justice, Advocate Sherman Hospital, American Association of University Women, Amita St. Joseph Hospital, Boys & Girls Club of Elgin, Burlington Central Unit District 301, Centro de Informacion, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Coalition for a Safe & Healthy Elgin, Community Crisis Center, Community Organizing and Family Issues, Downtown Neighborhood Association, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Elgin Community College, Elgin Cooperative Ministries, Elgin Hispanic Network, Elgin Partnership for Early Learning, Elgin Police Department, Elgin Township, Explore Elgin, Family Service Association of Greater Elgin, Forefront Democracy Initiative, Fox Valley Initiative, Fox Valley Citizens for Peace & Justice, Goosehead Insurance, Hamilton Wings, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Judson University, Kane County Office of Community Reinvestment, Kane County Teachers Credit Union, Lao American Organization of Elgin, Latino Treatment Center, League of Women Voters, Literacy Connection, MALDEF, New Life Covenant Church, Open Door Health Center, PADS of Elgin, Raise the Floor, Reflejos, Renz Addiction Counseling Center, Salvation Army, School District U-46, VNA Healthcare, Wayside Cross Ministries, Women on the Brink, Youth Leadership Academy, YWCA of Elgin, and Xilin Association.
In addition, staff of state Rep. Anna Moeller and state Sen. Cristina Castro are on the committee.
For more information about the 2020 Elgin Census Campaign and Complete Count Committee, visit gailborden.info/census.