IL HR0243

Declares April 1, 2019 as Census Awareness Day in Illinois to promote awareness of the 2020 U.S. Census.

Notes that Illinois has lost one congressional seat in every census cycle since 1950 and could lose two seats based on the 2020 Census count.

Highlights that Illinois receives over $20 billion annually in federal funding based on census data, making an accurate count critical.

Calls on Illinois General Assembly members to engage in local count committees and serve as trusted messengers to educate residents about the importance of being counted.

Urges the state to ensure residents in areas with limited broadband access have resources to participate in online census self-response and to allocate appropriations to community-based organizations for outreach work.