Elgin launches push for census participation
Attention Elginites: The city wants you to stand up and be counted for the 2010 federal census.
City leaders will host a kickoff event at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., to stress the importance of getting the most accurate city population count next year.
"It's extremely important. It can mean millions of dollars in federal and state aid," said Elgin Mayor Ed Schock, who will appear at the event with Calvin Thomas, a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears.
The 2000 census showed the city had 94,487 residents. A special census of new growth areas on the city's east and west sides showed an updated estimate of about 107,000 living in the city.
Each additional person brings the city $120 more in funding from the state, money used on items ranging from law enforcement to roads.
Sue Olafson, city of Elgin spokeswoman, said that in 2008, the city received $13 million in per capita funding from the state alone.
The federal government also distributes money based on population. In 2008, Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana landed more than $12 billion.
The Gail Borden Library and many community organizations also receive money based on population.
As part of Tuesday's event, Schock and other participants will try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for unrolling the largest legal document, a 44-inch by 80-foot long census form, in the library parking lot.
The Gail Borden Library District landed a grant from the Count Me In Illinois 2010 Census Initiative to host a public education campaign to boost census participation.
For more information, call (847) 931-5601 or (847) 742-2411 or visit cityofelgin.org.