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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The date of April 1, 2010 is Census Day in the
3 United States; it is important that citizens of the United
4 States answer the questions truthfully and understand that the
5 census is not a scam, but is an important and vital
6 fact-checking and gathering tool used to benefit everyone; and
 
7     WHEREAS, The decennial census is mandated by Article I,
8 Section 2 of the United States Constitution; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The first census in the United States was
10 conducted in 1790, when 4 million people were counted; the 2010
11 census is expected to count over 300 million people; and
 
12     WHEREAS, Data collected during the course of the decennial
13 census offers a snapshot of our nation's rich diversity,
14 informs government decisions about nearly $15 billion in annual
15 funding, or approximately $1,100 per capita, for important
16 social and human services, education, and infrastructure
17 programs, and determines the proper apportionment of Illinois'
18 representation in the United States Congress; and
 
19     WHEREAS, The State of Illinois gains significant benefits
20 when all of its inhabitants are counted, particularly during
21 challenging economic times; the census helps provide funding

 

 

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1 for hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers,
2 bridge, tunnel, and road repairs and other public works
3 projects, and emergency services; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The United States Census Bureau is bound by law to
5 keep any information collected during the 2010 Census
6 confidential; private information is never published and it is
7 against the law to disclose or publish names, addresses, social
8 security numbers, or telephone numbers; census takers are
9 subject to a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to 5
10 years, or both for unlawful disclosure; and
 
11     WHEREAS, The Census 2010 questionnaire contains 6
12 questions regarding 10 topics, but does not ask questions about
13 a respondent's Social Security number or current immigration
14 status; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Governor Pat Quinn has pledged the State of
16 Illinois' full participation in the 2010 Census; on September
17 20, 2009, the Governor established a Complete Count Committee
18 to facilitate the pledge; therefore, be it
 
19     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
20 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
21 urge the citizens of the State of Illinois to complete the
22 Census 2010 questionnaire by April 1, 2010 to ensure that

 

 

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1 Illinois is fully and completely represented; and be it further
 
2     RESOLVED, That we urge all public officials in Illinois to
3 cooperate fully with the U.S. Census Bureau and assist the
4 Bureau with its efforts to make a complete count in Illinois.