DANVILLE — East Central Illinois Community Action Agency Census Coordinator Laria Robinson is “optimistic” the city’s Census response rate will surpass its 2000 rate.

But there’s also concern about more than 40 million homes nationwide not receiving a Census form in the mail.

In 2000, Danville’s Census response rate was 76 percent; while Vermilion County’s was 77 percent.

So, far, the city’s rate is 68 percent and the county’s is 70 percent

“As of right now the agency is not planning to do any other canvassing, but (we) are looking into other avenues to motivate and help those who have not yet completed and sent back their 2010 Census forms,” Robinson said.

She adds that many residents have received a second form in the mail. The Census Bureau’s reasoning is to try to reach those not reached the first time by resending forms to each household.

Robinson said if residents still have not received a form, they can pick up one at various Be Counted and QAC sites in the county.

Catlin Village Clerk Michelle Carter reported many Catlin residents didn’t receive their Census forms. Forms are being handed out daily at the Catlin Village Hall’s help center.

Carter said she talked to the post office and many of the Census forms were returned because they were not properly addressed to post office boxes.

Vicki Haugen, local Complete Count Committee liaison for the 2010 Census, also reported receiving several calls from people who have not received forms at their homes.

She said it seems to be a common problem.

Forms are available at:

-- East Central Illinois Community Action Agency.

-- Holy Family Catholic Church

-- Danville Public Library

-- Danville municipal building.

-- Vermilion County Courthouse.

-- Northside Community Church of Christ in Bismarck

-- Oakwood Township building.

-- City/village halls in: Georgetown, Hoopeston, Indianola, Ogden, Rankin, Ridge Farm, Rossville, Belgium, Westville, Tilton and Fairmount.

Danville Mayor Scott Eisenhauer said he’s concerned about making sure everyone is counted.

“I have been worried about the Census all along because of the potential for decreasing population and the lack of returned Census forms 10 years ago,” Eisenhauer said.

“The community must make a dedicated effort to make sure everyone is counted and I hope the citizens realize the dollars which could be lost if they do not take the 10 minutes to fill out and return the form,” he said.

Resident Kevin Siefert has been hired as a Census employee, a group enumerator. She is paid $12.50 an hour and 50 cents per mile, for her 20 hours a week. She started working out of the Paris office on March 26.

She’s since gotten paperwork together for the veterans at the Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System and has interviewed residents in Crosspoint Human Services’ group homes.

“We’re doing group quarters. It’s fun. It’s not really hard,” Siefert said. “I like talking. You meet such nice people.”

“We have to do all the nursing homes,” Siefert added.

She’s also been getting paperwork ready (with students’ names and room numbers) for the dorms at Eastern Illinois University.

In a couple weeks she’ll undergo training for the home visits. She will likely go home to home, where residents didn’t fill out any paperwork, in early May.

Siefert was laid off from Heatcraft and is now attending graduate school.

FYI

The 2010 Census officially began in March when households received the seven-question form. If you did not receive the form, call the Census Bureau, (866) 872-6868, or visit a local Questionnaire Assistance Center or Be Counted site at city and village halls and other locations.