Chicago City Council January 18, 2023
Referred to the Committee on Economic, Capital, and Technology Development
RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE CITY OF CHICAGO TO AFFIRM ITS SUPPORT FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ECONOMIC CENSUS AND ENCOURAGE PARTNERSHIPS
WHEREAS, Every 5 years, the United States Census Bureau conducts the Economic Census in an effort to officially measure American business and the economy; and
WHEREAS, The Economic Census is authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C), (sections 131, 224, and 225) and requires businesses and other organizations obtain the requisite questionnaire and respond; and
WHEREAS, The Economic Census provides industry statistics about national, state, and local government, including the City of Chicago (City); and
WHEREAS, Data from the Economic Census provides the foundation for other critical measures of economic performance, such as the Gross Domestic Product and the Producer Price Index which is used by the City to make informed budgetary and economic decisions; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, information from the Economic Census is used by City businesses, policymakers, and community organizations for economic development, business forecasting, and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Without Economic Census data, vital details would be missed related to changes in the ownership and organizational structure of businesses and industries in the City; and
WHEREAS, The City uses these figures to attract new businesses, assess its economic health, and identify emerging job markets and growing industries; and
WHEREAS, Businesses in the City use insights from the Economic Census to make decisions about where to locate, how much to produce, and to compare their performance to other businesses across the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Information collected from the Economic Census is confidential and may not be publicly released in any way that could identify a business, organization, or institution; and
WHEREAS, The mailing of the 2022 Economic Census will begin on January 31, 2023, with responses due by March 15, 2023; and, now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this 18th day of January, 2023, do hereby affirm our support for the administration of the Economic Census in Chicago, and encourage an active partnership between the City of Chicago's Department of Planning and Development, the Department of Assets, Information and Services, and any other impacted City agencies for the purpose of maximizing the Economic Census response rates in the City.
GILBERT VILLEGAS
Alderman, 36th Ward
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