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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: John Russell, Grant Writer
DATE: May 16, 2019
SUBJECT:
Requesting approval to accept a grant of $87,575 from the Illinois Secretary of State to assist the City of Aurora in establishing a Complete Count program for the 2020 U.S. Census.
PURPOSE:
The City, in cooperation with other local agencies, will create a Complete Count Committee for the 2020 U.S. Census. The Complete Count Committee will coordinate outreach activities with local partners to ensure all residents are counted in the upcoming Decennial Census.
BACKGROUND:
The City has been awarded a pair of grants to establish a Complete Count Committee, which will target hard-to-count census tracts. The City has received a grant of $87,575 from the State; and in partnership with Fox Valley United Way, a $40,000 grant from Forefront, to assist in the 2020 Complete Count.
DISCUSSION:
Many municipalities and other government entities are concerned that there may not be a complete count in the 2020 Census, in large part because of changes being made by the U.S. Census Bureau -- residents will be required to enter their Census information on-line, and the Census form may include a question about citizenship. The Complete Count Committee will be tasked with reaching out to low-income residents, minorities, senior citizens and others who may have a hard time participating or be reluctant to participate in the 2020 count. Grant funding will be used to: hire a temporary Complete Count Coordinator and two temporary Complete Count Outreach Workers; purchase Personal Computers for the Complete Count staff to use in their outreach efforts; and create printed materials, in English and Spanish, to inform residents about the Census and the importance of their taking part. City staff members from the Community Services Department will work closely with the Complete Count staff. A budget amendment has been created for the Innovation & Core Services Division to receive the grant fun...
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