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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: May 16, 2019
SUBJECT:
Establishment of a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 US Census.
PURPOSE:
To establish a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 Census. The Complete Count Committee will serve as the official body to develop strategies and conduct outreach for a complete count with the 2020 US Census.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora was contacted by the US Bureau of the Census in 2018 to establish a partnership and request the formation of a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census. In 2010, the City established a joint Complete Count Committee which developed strategies and coordinated outreach activities with local partners. Efforts targeted hard to count census tracts. At the conclusion of the 2010 Census, the City of Aurora's population increased from 142,990 based on the 2000 Census to 197,899. According to American Fact Finder the 2017, the estimated population of the city is 200,946.
DISCUSSION:
During the past year there has been much discussion about the 2020 U.S. Census. Many government entities are concerned with not having a complete count. An undercount can result in the loss of representation at the congressional level down to the local level. An undercount can also result in a loss of funds from the state level down to the local level. Many organizations are concerned that changes with the administration of the 2020 census can have an adverse impact on participation and a complete count. Census forms will not be mailed to residents. Instead post cards will be mailed to households with a code for accessing the census forms on-line. Also, the federal government has proposed the addition of a citizenship status question. It is still not known if this question will be on the form or not but this proposal has caused a stir and much concern on the adverse impact on participation levels. These two changes will present additional barriers to achieving a complete count. Notwithstanding these new barriers, it has been difficult to achieve a complete count without being pro-active. In 2010, the city of Aurora established a Complete Count Committee to develop strategies to create awareness and conduct outreach initiatives in conjunction with community partners.
The Innovation and Core Services Department has submitted two grant applications to provide resources to support the activities of a Complete Count Committee. In both grant applications, the Complete Count Committee has been cited as the backbone of the city's strategies for a complete count.
The City of Aurora partnered with the Fox Valley United to apply for funding to Forefront to support Census outreach efforts. Aurora was one of 42 communities funded. Aurora was awarded $40,000. In addition, the City of Aurora applied for another grant from the Illinois Secretary of State's Office. Aurora was awarded full funding at $87,575. Both of these grants will provide financial resources to implement strategies identified by the 2020 Complete Count Committee.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Establishment of the Complete Count Committee will have a positive impact on the City of Aurora and the community. An undercount can result in a loss of representation and a loss of revenue for the city and the community. A 10% undercount in Aurora will result in an annual loss of $4.9 million in shared revenues from the State of Illinois. The level of Community Development Block Funds can also be negatively impacted by an undercount.
Several departments and divisions will provide support to the efforts of the Complete Count Committee. The Complete Count Committee will only be needed from June 2019 through June 2020. Therefore staff support will be for a short duration.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Staff recommends the creation of the Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census by adoption of this resolution.
cc: Government Operations Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution Establishing a Complete Count Committee for the City of Aurora, Illinois for the United States 2020 Census
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the United States of America has conducted a national census every decade since 1790, and
WHEREAS, next Decennial census will be taken in the year 2020 and political representation to the United States House of Representatives, state legislatures and local governments is determined by the Decennial Census; and
WHEREAS, an undercount in the 2020 census will cause a decrease in shared revenues which are remitted on a per capita basis from the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, accurate data is needed for planning purposes, community growth, determining community needs and eligibility for Federal funding, and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has agreed to establish a complete count committee in partnership with the U.S. Bureau of the Census, and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has reached out to a broad cross section of the community and has identified individuals representing various organizations to serve on the 2020 Complete Count Committee and
WHEREAS, the individuals on "Exhibit A" have agreed to represent their organizations on an ad hoc committee through June 2020 and
WHEREAS, City staff will work with the Complete Count Committee and support efforts for a complete count.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that the City's 2020 Complete Count Committee is established for the purpose of ensuring a complete count with the 2020 Decennial Census; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Complete Count Committee shall develop strategies for a complete and accurate count, help educate, promote and encourage participation in the United States 2020 Census;
1. The composition of the Complete Count Committee shall include representation from school districts, the Aurora Public Library, the Fox Valley Park District, the chambers of commerce, local community colleges, township government, and local non-profit organizations as included in "Exhibit A". The Mayor can appoint additional members as deemed necessary.
2. The Complete Count Committee shall commence in June 2019 and sun-set in June 2020. Meetings shall be held no more than monthly and no less than quarterly. Meetings will be open to the public and subject to the Open Meetings Act.
2. The Complete Count Committee shall elect a chairman and co-chair for the purposes of convening the meetings.
3. The Complete Count Committee will work closely with the City of Aurora and Fox Valley United Way to meet deliverables of two grants received to support complete count strategies.
4. The Complete Count Committee shall present updates to the Mayor and Council at least once before the end of 2019 and at least once in 2020 prior to national Census Day on April 1, 2020.