Kane County Reporter

City of Aurora Complete Count Committee met Aug. 26.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Call to Order-Brian 8:40 am

II. Roll Call-verbal- present: David Smith, Karina Garcia, Ivan Chambers, Kathy Gilmore, Kevin Scanlan, Michaela Haberkern, Lisa Schwartz-Barry, Sherman Jenkins, Vince Smith, Brian Caputo, Angie Thomas, Dan Barreiro, Chris Ragona, Dee Hakala, Lexi, Ana Gonzales, Ana Mejia, Christina Campos, Megan Wolf, Chuck Nelson, Trish Rooney

III. Opening Remarks – Brian Caputo- Read OMA compliant opening statement with regard to COVID state/ city guidelines.

IV. Public Comments-none

V. Approval of the Minutes from the June 2020 Meeting-unanimous verbal roll call.

VI. Brian Caputo thanked committee for all their tremendous efforts as we are close to passing 2010 census percent rate of response. He reported the Metro Mayor’s Caucus created new round of response cards to go out July 22-August 28. There is another focused campaign through social media and radio July 13-17. He wrote an article for the Daily Herald about the census. Events included July 15 combined Aurora-Elgin rally, Community Census Days August 25 and September 25. Brian read bullet points on enumerator’s actions and conducts out in the field.

Update on City Complete Count Activities-Angie mentioned email sent by Forefront summarizing efforts for committee to look at.

a. Staff Reports - Dan Barreiro conveyed his gratitude for all the committee’s efforts and shared following stats

National self-response rate=64.5%, Illinois= 69.3% (7th out of 50) 

Kane County=75.5%, DuPage= 79.3%, Kendall=80.6%, Will = 76.6% 

City of Aurora = 72.3 %- (surpassing 2010). 

Townships: Oswego=85%, Wheatland=84.4%, Sugar Grove = 84%, Batavia=79%, Naperville=79.9%, DuPage=89.9%

We have more shirts in to pass out and more materials if anyone needs to pick up. Dan mentioned before combined City event Aurora was behind Elgin, and after we surpassed Elgin. Additional events include: pop-up pantries, farmers market, Fox Valley Marines event, seniors shredding event. Discussion about a 2nd CAR A VAN event for Sept. 19, from 10 am -12 noon for Hard To Count areas.

Angie brought up possibly having bike route and car route.

Chris Ragona reported on sub grantees activities outreach that include: laundromats, gift cards, weekly Farmers Market, barber shops, grocery stores, door hanger, door-door drops, yard signs(over 700 put out thus far), child care enters outreach through the YWCA, and working with Ivan to have portable sign-ups for people at FVPD.

Mayor’s Office – Chuck Nelson conveyed his thanks and the Mayor’s for the committee’s efforts. He mentioned the Mayor will include remarks related to Census at every City Council meeting. Chuck also shared he ran into an enumerator who gave kudos to CCC for their efforts. He shared open house/fair in the parking lot across from City Hall where combined event with City and Neighborhood project would be good for passing out census materials.

b. DuPage County CCC – no report

c. Kane County CCC – Angie Thomas shared they have a lot of materials for use if anyone wants/needs additional information.

d. Kendall County CCC – no report

VII. Subcommittee Reports

a. Communications/Technology –Dan mentioned details about Census Days events, including red theme tee’s and door hangers to be used.

b. Business (Jessica Linder Gallo)-Businesses continue to be reached with ongoing information, including a one-on-one approach. Rush Copley was added to list of businesses giving out information to staff. Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber has teamed up with barbershops and continued efforts with businesses in HTC areas is ongoing.

c. Community-Based (Ana Mejia)- Food distribution events have helped reach over 8,500 families with census information. This has been ongoing effort.

d. Faith-Based – Karina reported they have set up tables at churches (St. Nicholas) and have the minister announce their presence to reach those attending church services.

e. Education (Anna Gonzalez)-Social media and newsletter continue to be main mode of ongoing outreach, along with face-to-face smaller opportunities and phone outreach to homeless students.

VIII. New Ideas and Strategies –Dan reported working on phone bank idea and trying to get that going.

IX. Other Business- none

X. Adjournment -8:34 AM, unanimous by verbal roll call.

https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08262020-2355