CCFB News» March 2020

The national 2020 United States census is set to begin in earnest this spring. This will be the first time the U.S. Census Bureau will ask household residents to complete the survey online.

The Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) is seeking a strong response from the farm and rural community and has asked county farm bureaus to become involved in the process by assisting members gain access to online survey completion. Each county farm bureau has received an iPad to be used in coordination with IFB’s efforts to assist both members and non-members in getting access to the internet to complete their 2020 Census survey.

“The U.S. Census is directly related to Illinois’ representation in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert, Jr. “With Illinois losing population over the last several years, the state could lose one, maybe two, seats in the U.S. House. That makes this survey extremely important for the state to have widespread participation and accurate responses from its citizens.”

Reapportioning occurs after each U.S. Census, starting with the number of seats given to each state in the U.S. House of Representatives. From there, boundaries will be redrawn for those seats as well as for the General Assembly and county boards.

Federal funding heavily relies on Census results. U.S. Census data determines how $675 billion dollars is distributed, impacting education, fire and emergency response services, transportation, employment, housing, health care and public policy.

Illinois Farm Bureau offers the following timeline for the 2020 Census:

• In mid-March, the U.S. Census Bureau will send an “Invitation to Respond” to every citizen. Residents may fill out their census online or call the listed contact number to either fill the census out via phone or to request a hard copy via U.S. Postal Service.  
• April 1, 2020 is Census Day. IFB members and non-members are encouraged to make this date their goal for census completion and to consider what their household will look like on that date when answering questions.
• After Census Day, U.S. Census Bureau representatives will make home visits to assist citizens in filling out the survey in person. Completing a survey is required for every U.S. citizen.

If any Cook County Farm Bureau member needs online access to complete your census survey, please contact the Cook County Farm Bureau office at 708-354-3276.