SPRINGFIELD (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As the end date to fill out the 2020 census draws closer, state agencies are partnering with schools around the state, including Chicago Public Schools, to distribute census-themes masks to low-income neighborhoods in an effort to get residents to be counted.
The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency are distributing 2.5 million free cloth face coverings to statewide public schools and 67,000 to CPS schools in New City (Back of the Yards), Little Village, Englewood, South Chicago, North Lawndale, West Englewood, West Garfield Park, the Lower West Side, Brighton Park, and Humboldt Park, which all have lower self-response rates on the 2020 Census.
The free masks ensure every child may access the learning opportunities provided by their school, regardless of their ability to purchase a face covering or make one at home, according to a release.
ISBE and IEMA have shipped 2.3 million to schools as of Aug. 13 and face shields are also going around for school personnel and students to wear in addition to the cloth masks for increased protection.
"A face covering is a key tool to reintroducing our normal everyday activities in a COVID environment," said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau in a statement. "By distributing these cloth face masks to each public-school student, teacher, and staff, we are providing the tools each district needs to foster a healthy and safe educational setting."
The 2020 Census self-response deadline has been extended to Sept. 30, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can fill it out here.
