Get out and get counted is the message from area leaders as the latest US Census approaches this spring.

Monday night at the Clinton City Council meeting, City Administrator Tim Followell says it is very important for everyone to participate in this census. He believes Clinton, Illinois was under-counted in the last census and there's a lot at stake this time around.

The Bloomington area received a grant to continue the push for raising awareness. Followell indicates while that doesn't mean dollars for Clinton, they do receive information brochures and flyers. Additionally, there are several local entities making sure residents are aware of the census and have access to getting themselves counted.

Groups like Community Action and the City of Farmer City have been proactive in making people aware of the census and promoting the impacts it has on them. While locally there are federal dollars at stake in this census for governments and non-profits, the State of Illinois is also facing losing Congressional representation if counts come in low.