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Census Rally at the Capitol
East St. Louis is at about 64 percent. Springfield is at 76 percent. Salem is at 80 percent. We're talking about the census form response rate, and these folks are fired up about encouraging more people to be counted.

Frank Smith, Earnfare director in East St. Louis, is on a census committee. He says a priority for him is to educate people in public housing that everyone must be counted, even family members who are staying there because they've lost their jobs and homes.

Danny Stover, member of the Complete Count Committee in Marion County, says his focus has been in the rural areas. He says the committee on which he serves believes it has found some of the problem areas from 2000, and worked with residents to encourage them either to fill out their forms, or to work with census workers who go door-to-door or leave telephone numbers.

Sandy Robinson, director of community relations in Springfield, says his committee has worked with churches, the Urban League, and many other groups to "make sure everyone’s been counted."

Illinois -- at 73 percent -- is currently tied for the sixth for the highest response rate across nation. Four communities are among the top 50 cities in the nation for response rates: Orland Park, Wheaton, Arlington Heights and Tinley Park.

(Illinois Radio Network)
04 21 10 by Newsroom
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