STOP THE RULES TO
CHANGE THE CENSUS
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We need your voice by OCTOBER 13TH!
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On September 10, the U.S. Census Bureau proposed rules that would reshape the 2030 Census, and the public has only until Tuesday, October 13, to weigh in. The Bureau gave the public just 30 days to respond, so let's make every one of them count.
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What's Being Proposed
- Removing race and ethnicity questions from the census form, ending a practice that dates back to the first census in 1790. Questions on sexual orientation would also be banned from future censuses.
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- Counting only citizens and green-card holders when dividing up seats in Congress, leaving out millions of people who live, work, and pay taxes in our communities.
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- Adding a citizenship question
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WHY IT MATTERS FOR ILLINOIS
Census data draws our voting maps, directs billions in federal funding to our roads, schools, and public safety, and provides the evidence needed to enforce the Voting Rights Act. Without race and ethnicity data, it becomes far harder to show when district lines dilute the voting power of Black, Latino, Asian American, Native, and other communities. And in a state with large immigrant communities like ours, an incomplete count would leave many communities without the tax dollars needed to thrive.
Furthermore, eliminating these questions will make it harder to track demographic trends that influence how community organizations, schools, government agencies and more, set and enforce policy.
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A fair democracy starts with an accurate count of everyone.
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HOW TO COMMENT (about 5 minutes)​
1. Go to Regulations.gov and search for docket number USBC-2026-0628 or use this link.
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2. Click "Submit a Public Comment."
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3. Copy the sample below, then make it your own if you like. Note: Comments that include your own words and experience carry the most weight.
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4. Submit before Tuesday, October 13.
Note: public comments become part of the public record, so don't include personal information you wouldn't want shared.
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--- SAMPLE COMMENT (copy, paste, and edit) ---
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Re: Docket No. USBC-2026-0628, Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions
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I am a resident of [city/neighborhood], Illinois, and I urge the Census Bureau to withdraw this proposed rule.
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First, keep race and ethnicity questions on the 2030 Census. This data is essential for drawing fair voting districts, enforcing the Voting Rights Act, and making sure federal resources reach the communities that need them. Removing it would make it harder for communities like mine to be seen, served, and fairly represented.
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Second, count every person. The 14th Amendment requires apportionment based on "the whole number of persons in each state." Excluding people based on immigration status would undercount communities, distort representation, and shortchange local governments that serve everyone who lives here.
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Third, do not add a citizenship question. It would discourage participation, drive down response rates, and reduce the accuracy of the count for everyone. A non-citizen count can be done through another survey or methodology.
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Finally, a 30-day comment period is not enough for changes that will shape representation and funding for the next decade. At minimum, the comment period should be extended until November 13th, 2026.
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[Add a sentence or two in your own words: why an accurate census matters to you, your family, your neighborhood, your school, your congregation, or your work.]
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Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, Illinois]
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--- END SAMPLE ---
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Once you've submitted, please forward this email to three people you know. The more voices on record, the harder this is to ignore.
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Thank you for standing up for a democracy where everyone counts.
In partnership,
Common Cause Illinois Team
Common Cause Illinois is a leader in fights that matter at both the local and state level.
980 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1090, PMB 618192, Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago, Illinois 60612
202.833.1200
Common Cause’s work to defend and strengthen our democracy is powered by members like you. Our national organization, the Common Cause Education Fund, is a 501(c3) with a 4 star rating on charity navigator.
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