Cook County Loves the 2020 Census
Cook County officials announced a partnership with Metra today unveiling “2020 Cook County Census Trains” on the Rock Island and Metra Electric lines.
The lines chosen are significant in that they service Chicago’s south side and Cook County’s south suburbs, areas that encompass many hard-to-count communities for Census outreach.
“Cook County loves the Census and on this Valentine’s Day we are proud to have a partner in Metra as the 2020 Census is quickly approaching,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “The Census will impact every resident in Cook County for the next 10 years. I hope our vibrant, memorable Census train will be another encouraging reminder for residents to participate in the Census starting April 1.”
One Metra train on both the Rock Island and Metra Electric lines will feature a train car wrapped in Cook County’s Census design. Cook County’s Census information is also displayed inside each car. The Cook County Census train cars will run now through the end of July.
“We’re proud to use our trains for the next six months to promote the Census,” said Jim Derwinski, CEO and Executive Director of Metra. “These cars will be seen by tens of thousands of people who ride our trains or live and work near these two lines. We hope it will encourage everyone to make sure they are counted.”
Cook County has been proactive in their Census strategy, beginning with the creation of the Complete Count Census Commission in June of last year. Cook County has devoted more than $3 million to Census outreach including grants to community organizations, marketing, education and mobilization.
“I am pleased that Metra is partnering with Cook County for the 2020 Census,” said Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore (4th District) who serves as chairman of the Cook County Complete Count Census Commission. “The Census is in a once in a decade opportunity to shape the future of Cook County. Spreading the word about the Census via Metra trains will help us encourage residents to participate and achieve our goal of an accurate and complete count.”
“I want to thank Metra for their partnership with Cook County in our 2020 Census efforts,” said Cook County Commissioner Alma Anaya (7th District). “According to The George Washington University, Illinois has received over $2 Billion from the federal government in transit-related funds, all driven by decennial Census data. Our transit infrastructure is critical to our communities’ access to school, work, and healthcare and is the basis for a thriving region. It is urgent that everyone gets counted to ensure all residents of Cook County have access to safe and reliable transit options.”
"I am grateful for the partnership with Metra,” said Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer. “It is our goal that every person in Cook County are counted. With these trains promoting the Census, we are well on our way."
For more information regarding Cook County’s census efforts please visit: cookcountyil.gov/census.