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Census Toolkit for Illinois Business Owners & Managers





Census Toolkit for Illinois Business Owners & Managers

Click here for PDf file.

The success of the 2020 U.S. Census will have important implications for businesses in Illinois. The decennial population count contributes to critical data (publicly accessible through the Census Business Builder) that businesses use to identify where to open a new store and what products and services to offer. It helps allocate funding for various federal business loan programs across the country and provides a foundation for many of the resources offered through the Small Business Administration. The census is also used to effectively allocate public funding for investments that grow the economy, including schools, roads, and workforce development, among many others.

Businesses can help achieve an accurate 2020 Census by encouraging their employees and customers to complete their census questionnaires early. Businesses can start promoting the census in March 2020 (when households receive their census materials by mail) using the resources below and can continue to encourage people’s participation through May. Census workers, however, will begin visiting homes in May for those who do not respond on their own.

This toolkit provides easy-to-access resources for a business owner or manager to promote the census. It includes: (i) draft language for a written communication to employees, (ii) talking points for a staff event, (iii) links to social media graphics, and (iv) a flyer that can be posted in a break room, storefront or near a cash register. Want additional local materials or resources for specific demographic groups? Visit strongnation.org/census or contact your local complete count committee.

LANGUAGE FOR EMPLOYEE EMAIL OR NEWSLETTER

The language below is designed to be copied directly into an employee email, newsletter or other communication. Feel free to modify, as needed.
     Potential Email Subject/Title: Have a Say in Illinois’ Future, Participate in the 2020 Census

     Dear (Insert individual name or name of group):

     I am reaching out today to encourage you to participate in the 2020 Census. If you have already
     completed the short questionnaire, thank you, and please encourage your family and friends to do the
     same! This short activity is truly important for strengthening communities and families in Illinois and it
     only takes a few minutes.

     In 2017, Illinois received at least $56 Billion in public funding for important community services like
     schools, police, fire, health care, roads and much more. However, if there is an undercount in Illinois, we
     may not get our full share of these resources.

     You can complete the questionnaire online, by mail or over the phone. It is safe and private. In fact,
     federal law prohibits anyone at the Census Bureau from sharing personal census information, with
     violations resulting in stiff penalties and jail time. The questionnaire is short and only asks for basic
     information (e.g., age, sex, race, type of housing, etc.) for all people living in your household. It does not
     ask for sensitive information like social security numbers, immigration status or bank account information.
    
     Thank you for your kind consideration, and learn more at 2020Census.gov.

TALKING POINTS FOR EMPLOYEE GATHERING:

     • The U.S. Constitution calls on the federal government to conduct a basic count of all residents living in the country every 10 years. The next population 
     count is this year (2020).

     • The census questionnaire is short and only asks for basic information (e.g., age, sex, race, typeof housing, etc.) for all people living in your household.
     It does not ask for sensitive information like social security numbers, immigration status or bank account information.

The Census Helps to Improve Illinois:
     • Information from the 2020 Census will help to distribute billions of dollars in federal resources. In 2017, Illinois got at least $56 Billioni based on census
     information that helps pay for schools, roads, police, fire, health care and many more services. An undercount in Illinois would jeopardize our full share
     of these resources.

How Can Someone Complete their Questionnaire?
     • For the first time, residents can complete their forms online, but doing so by phone or mailing in a paper questionnaire are still options. Go to
     2020Census.gov for more information and to complete your questionnaire starting in March 2020. If you don’t respond by the end of April, a census
     worker may visit your home.

Is it safe and private?
     • Federal law prohibits the Census Bureau from sharing individual census information with any person, organization or government body, including law
     enforcement. All census staff take a lifetime oath to protect personal information, with up to $250,000 in fines and/or up to 5 years of jail time for
     violations.

Encourage Others:
     • Once you complete your questionnaire, please encourage your family and friends to do the same.

SOCIAL MEDIA TO ENGAGE CUSTOMERS:

 Use the language below (or create your own ) to promote the census on Facebook and Twitter. Then, download a graphic (below) to include with your post. (To download, click on the links below. Then, drag the graphics onto your desktop or right click on your mouse and select “save image as.”). The graphics are also available on strongnation.org/census.


FLYER FOR BREAKROOM, STOREFRONT, ETC:

 The one-page flyer in this toolkit is meant to be posted anywhere that employees or customers can view it, such as a break room, storefront or near a cash register.




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