DURBIN, DUCKWORTH, DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF ILLINOIS DELEGATION URGE CENSUS BUREAU TO INCORPORATE INCREASED POPULATION COUNT IN FEDERAL DATA AND FUNDING DECISIONS
The Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey shows that Illinois likely was undercounted at a rate of 1.97 percent in the 2020 Census, potentially negatively impacting federal funding over the next decade
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today led 13 Democratic members of the Illinois delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Director Robert L. Santos urging him to incorporate the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) data into the 2020 Decennial Census after Illinois was shown likely to have been undercounted at a rate of 1.97 percent. The 2020 Census is projected to have undercounted Illinois by 250,000, which inaccurately reflects Illinois’ roughly 13 million residents – the highest the state has ever recorded. In addition to today’s letter, Durbin is working to convene the Illinois delegation for a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Director Santos in the near future to discuss the delegation’s asks and the correction of the Census’ miscount of Illinois.
“We are writing in regard to the Census Bureau’s Post-Enumeration Survey (PES), which found that Illinois likely was undercounted at a rate of 1.97% in the 2020 Decennial Census. With this knowledge comes the striking fact that Illinois did not lose residents, but rather, the State’s population is now at its largest in history with about 13 million residents. We are concerned about how this undercount may affect the people of Illinois,” wrote the lawmakers.
As a result of the error, Illinois is in danger of losing valuable federal funding over the next ten years. The Census is used to allocate roughly $1.5 trillion, through about 100 programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare Part B, Highway Planning and Construction, and Pell grants.
“As such, we would like to learn how the findings within the PES will be used going forward, in both allocation of federal funding and in preparation for the next Decennial Census. As you know, Census Bureau data determines how $1.5 trillion of federal funding will be allocated over the course of a decade. Illinoisans rely on roughly 100 programs that use this data to allocate funding, particularly for health care, nutrition assistance, and education programs, among others,” the lawmakers continued.
The lawmakers went on to ask Director Santos what corrective actions the Census Bureau will take to ensure that Illinois receives equitable federal funding based on its true population.
The lawmakers asked, “Any federal entities disregarding Illinois’ revised population estimate in determining these funding allocations could have grave consequences for those affected by such underfunding. As such, we request a response to the following questions no later than June 15.
1. How does the Census Bureau plan to incorporate the PES findings into data products that inform federal funding allocations?
a. What the timeline is for doing so?
2. Will the Bureau commit to ensuring that all of its federal partners understand any errors that may have occurred during the Decennial Census, including Illinois’ estimated undercount, so that they may have full knowledge to inform their funding allocation decisions?
3. Will the Bureau commit to taking into account the PES projections in its yearly Population Estimates following the Decennial Census?
a. Further, how will the Bureau ensure Illinois does not receive anything less than its fair and full share of federal funding over the next decade?”
House members joining Durbin and Duckworth on the letter include Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), Sean Casten (D-IL-6), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-7), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-8), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-1), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-IL-4), Bradley Schneider (D-IL-10), Marie Newman (D-IL-3), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), and Robin L. Kelly (D-IL-2).
- Arsenal - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:31 pm:
==No Republicans?==
Too busy coming up with excuses why a quarter of a million new Illini don’t count.
- H-W - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:37 pm:
I am surprised LaHood is not a party to the letter. His district is potentially a strong recipient of federal funding. With the exception of Peoria, the 18th District is pretty rural and poor. It would be interesting to know why the Republicans are not a party to the letter (e.g., were they invited to sign, etc.).
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:38 pm:
Mary Miller isn’t in the business to bring more dollars to her state or her district.
So that’s one gone.
Kinzinger, has he moved on, except for his great work on the January 6th committee?
That’s two gone.
Bost, LaHood, Davis?
Waiting to be in the majority I suppose..
So, that’s that
- Blake - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:40 pm:
Nationally red states would gain from PES becoming the standard, even when Illinois also would.
- Sue - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:41 pm:
The census people worked under difficult circumstances in 20/21. Illinois isn’t the only State with under/over issues. Lest the Dems forget- as they didn’t trust the Trump admin- they pushed the final work into the Biden Admin. The feds will likely resolve issues with spending adjustments but Illinois was going to lose a seat no matter what. NY would have likely lost 2 rather then only 1 seat had NY’s number been accurate. Nothing was done intentionally but why should anyone think the Census people would be any more capable of accuracy during the pandemic then is the IRS
- New Day - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:46 pm:
Just learn the phrase: Republicans are the problem.
Want the most basic, common sense gun control backed by 90% of the American people? Sorry, the GOP says no can do. Republicans are the problem.
Want comprehensive immigration reform? GOP says no can do. Republicans are the problem.
Want Illinois to get its fair share of Federal funds? GOP says no can do. Republicans are the problem.
Want to protect the right to vote? GOP says no can do. Republicans are the problem.
See how easy that is.
- Baloneymous - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:49 pm:
Can’t go against the narrative that Illinois is horrible, and can’t support the Dems on anything because they’re the enemy. What a way to run a party. Sad.
- Norseman - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:50 pm:
GOP SOP: Never help solving problems affecting regular people. Only blame Dems, even if you have to lie and make up phony conspiracy theories.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:51 pm:
I always considered myself a Republican lately I say I lean Republican. My big dislike for Durbin is he doesn’t bring much back to state. So here are Republicans that could help and they do no. Why? Hurt the state because you are not in charge. Guess what will be a long time before you ever are. Maybe sign up for that new state that excludes Cook and the collar counties then you will beg for money
- vern - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 4:51 pm:
Acknowledging new Illinois residents is a slippery slope for Republicans. Sure, it’s just existence at first, but soon they’ll be expecting services and representation. It’s all just a liberal plot to force Republicans into actually competing for the votes of these Illinoisans. Luckily, the ILGOP is standing firm in refusing to cater to special interest groups like “voters.” (/s)
- H-W - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 5:02 pm:
= Hi, Rich! Yes – IL Republicans were asked if they’d like to join the letter. They declined. =
Geez. Is there any better example of the lunacy of “insisting on not crossing party lines” than this? Put your constituents first, please, Mr. LaHood, my current, non-representing, Representative!
- MisterJayEm - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 5:13 pm:
“IL Republicans were asked if they’d like to join the letter. They declined.”
Tearing down Illinois remains a fundamental plank in the IL-GOP platform.
– MrJM
- Medvale School for the Gifted - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 5:18 pm:
It is notable that many communities and members of Congress impressed upon the Trump Admin to give more time to the census process because the pandemic seemed to be skewing numbers.
The Trump Admin said Nyet.
- GA Watcher - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 5:19 pm:
There are several municipalities and counties in the Chicago region who believe they were undercounted with the 2020 Census. Wonder how the Census Bureau’s admission to the undercount will affect their population figures. Local governments receive both state and local funding based on per capita allocations. Will the Bureau correct their populations for the undercount so they receive the funds they should?
- Fivegreenleaves - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 8:39 pm:
I used to consider myself a Democrat, but now I dislike both parties equally. Both are putting party before country, although I’m glad to see the Democratic delegation actually push for more Federal funding for Illinois, given the error that occurred within the census. Right now, the Illinois Republicans in Washington could take a lesson from the Democrats.
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 9:05 pm:
===They declined.===
The whole idea that they’re delighted by the idea of the state shrinking so they can campaign on it instead of demanding to know why the Census Bureau did their districts a disservice is pretty laughable, but very indicative of the fact they are not fit to serve the Great State of Illinois.
- ZC - Wednesday, May 25, 22 @ 9:23 pm:
If more money comes they’ll take credit for it back home, though.
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 26, 22 @ 7:44 am:
I guess Republicans really are that petty.