* AP…

A misplaced naval ship in California. Overlooked college students in New York City. Missed inmates in Texas.

These are some of the reasons why the two most populous states and the largest city in the U.S. filed last-minute requests for corrections to their 2020 census figures right before the deadline at the end of last month. California, Texas and New York City were joined by a dozen and a half other stragglers, including Illinois and New Orleans, that made down-to-the-deadline appeals over the numbers that help determine political power and the annual distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funding.

In total, nearly 200 requests for corrections were filed by local, state and tribal governments through two programs started by the U.S. Census Bureau to give governments opportunities to have their population totals reviewed and corrected if need be.

* Full Gov. Pritzker press release…

Because of an inaccurate census count, the state of Illinois received inadequate federal funding for Medicare, affordable housing, homeland security, and a number of other essential programs. Census undercounts often disservice Black, Latino, and minority communities who have been historically underserved by federal resources, making the correct appropriation of these funds even more crucial. That’s why, in June, we submitted two requests for review of the 2020 census to the Census Bureau. Firstly, for the overall state population count, and secondly for the “group quarters” count, which focuses on nursing homes, college dorms, correctional facilities, etc. The Governor remains committed to advocating for an improved census calculation process and ensuring Illinois receives its fair share of federal funding based on an accurate count of our state’s population, which topped 13 million for the first time in history during this most recent census period.

* The administration sent two letters to the Census Bureau. Excerpt from one…

Dear Director Santos,

I am writing to request a 2020 Post-Census Group Quarter Review for the State of Illinois. Based on data collected from our correctional facilities, state-operated facilities for adults and youth, public and private nursing homes, college and university student housing, adult group homes and residential treatment centers, shelters for people experiencing homelessness and other institutional facilities*, we believe the total count for Illinois group quarter residents may be higher than what was reported in the 2020 Census counts.

My office is working with administrators across the various group quarters to finalize our tally of Illinois residents residing in these facilities in order to submit the required data for review. We intend to provide the Bureau of the Census with the information needed to consider our request in a timely manner.

Two…

Dear Director Santos,

Illinois would like to submit a request for the 2020 Census Count Question Resolution Operation. We are aware not only of the overall nearly two percent statewide undercount acknowledged by the Census Bureau, but also have been made aware by local jurisdictions of potential errors related to boundaries and housing placement.

To this end, my office would like to work with the Bureau of the Census and provide you with the information you need to review Illinois 2020 Census count and make appropriate adjustments. My office is working with subject matter experts in local and state government to gather and furnish all of the required data for your review in a timely manner.

Thoughts?