The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting census takers for temporary positions in communities across Illinois in advance of the 2020 Census. Pay rates for census takers in Illinois have increased, with a range from $17.50 up to $29.50 per hour.  Applicants will be placed in an applicant pool for 2020 Census positions in which they qualify for as jobs become available in their area. These positions offer competitive pay, flexible hours, paid training and weekly paychecks.

Census takers will be hired to work in their communities and go door to door to collect responses from those who do not respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone or by mail. Census taker positions provide an opportunity for people employed or unemployed to earn extra income while helping their community.  The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted once every 10 years. Census data are used to determine congressional representation in the states and how billions of dollars in federal funds are distributed to states and local communities every year for critical public services and infrastructure, including health clinics, schools, roads and emergency services.  The Census Bureau also has current temporary positions for recruiting assistants and office positions.

Benefit Rule Changes

The US Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. The recruitment goal for Illinois is 77,000 people for a variety of temporary part-time and full-time positions, including census takers, recruitment assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff, from now until July 2020. To assist with recruitment efforts and increase the number of trusted messengers in Illinois, the Illinois Department of Human Services filed emergency and permanent rules that will allow people to earn income from temporary census employment without adversely effecting benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and child care. The Department of Health and Family Services clarified in its policy that temporary employment, including for the US Census Bureau, will not be factored in to assess eligibility for State medical insurance.

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