SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — With the deadline for being counted in the 2020 census moved up to the end of September from the original pushback date of the end of October, it’s now crunch time as census takers start going door-to-door this week. State lawmakers are joining in the chorus of leaders urging residents to make sure they are counted.

118th District House Representative Patrick Windhorst says the census count is not just important for how much federal money the state receives for certain programs.

Windhorst urges residents to open their doors for the census takers if you have not completed your census already.