DANVILLE – With census response rates in Henning and Rankin at a critical low, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is urging residents in these areas to complete the 2020 Census to ensure their communities aren’t left out of the final count.

“In order to get an accurate count, every resident in our community must respond to the Census,” Bennett said. “For every person we miss, we risk losing out on federal funding for our schools, hospitals and highway construction.”

Across Vermilion County, participation in the 2020 Census is lower than in the 2010 Census. Only 59.3% of Danville residents have completed their census forms this year, as opposed to 68.7% of residents in 2010. In Henning and Rankin, just 54.1% of residents have been counted—a decade ago, 71% of Henning residents and 63.2% of Rankin residents responded.

Residents can complete the census for their household at www.my2020census.gov. Higher self-response rates mean fewer individuals are likely to receive visits from census surveyors to be counted in person. This year, census surveyors are putting their and their families’ health at risk of COVID-19, and limiting visits may mean saving lives.

“We only get this opportunity once every 10 years,” Bennett said. “Help our community by taking a few minutes to make sure you are counted.”

To see local responses rates across Illinois and the entire nation, visit www.censushardtocountmaps2020.us.