Illinois

State’s Rank by Arab American Population: 5
AAI Estimated Arab American Population: 142,687*

Growth Trends

The population who identified as Arabic-speaking in the U.S. Census grew more than 42% between 2000 and 2017. The number of Illinoisans who claim an Arab ancestry has more than doubled since the Census first measured ethnic origins in 1980, and is among the fastest growing Arab populations in the country. The Census Bureau estimates the statewide Arab American population is close to 142,687.*

Immigration

The largest number of new Arab immigrants to Illinois came from Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.

How Do Arab Americans Identify Themselves?

Primary Ethnic Identification is derived from responses to the ancestry question on the American Community Survey. Census data on “Arabs” include the responses: Lebanese, Syrian, Egyptian, Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Moroccan, Arab or Arabic. The following countries are collapsed as “Other Arab”: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

We also include Arabic-speaking persons who identify as Assyrian/Chaldean, Somali, or Sudanese, identities that are not aggregated as Arab in Census reports. In Illinois, according to the Census Bureau, the largest component of the Arab American community in the state has Palestinian or Assyrian/Chaldean roots. Since 2005, significant increases appear in the number of Illinoisans who are of Iraqi or Palestinian descent.

Where Do Illinois’ Arab Americans Live?

Arab Americans in Illinois reside in 79 of the 102 counties in the state.

WHY IS THE CENSUS IMPORTANT?

Other than being mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the Census is important because it impacts all aspects of our daily lives as Arab Americans. Census data plays a crucial role in determining our access to resources - from education to roads and health care. Businesses use census data to decide where they want to invest their funds, such as when deciding to expand to new markets, locations, etc. The federal government uses census data to decide how much money to allocate for necessary services that we often take for granted, such as repaving roads and repairing street lights. In our public education systems, census data help provide free and reduced lunch to low income students, education programs like bilingual language programs, English as a Second Language programs, career and technical grants, and financial aid for students.

Other than the government funding, which is over $800 million for over 10 years, the census data impact voting processes and communities’ representation in office. Local and state governments rely on census data about districts with higher numbers of non-fluent English speakers, so they provide bilingual poll workers and Arabic translation services. The census data determine how congressional, local, and state districts are drawn which impacts where your children go to school, who is able to run for office where, and who you are able to vote for to represent you in office. An undercount could mean that Illinois does in fact lose a congressional seat as it is projected to after the 2020 Census count.

It is for all these reasons why we must ensure all Arab Americans are fairly and accurately counted. To ensure that our communities get the accurate and adequate funding that they deserve for everyone.

*Research by AAI suggests the number above is likely significantly lower than the actual number of Arab Americans in the state. The American Community Survey identifies only a portion of the Arab population through a question on “ancestry.” Reasons for the undercount include the placement and limitations of the ancestry question (as distinct from race and ethnicity); the effect of the sample methodology on small, unevenly distributed ethnic groups; high levels of out-marriage among the third and fourth generations; and distrust/misunderstanding of government surveys among recent immigrants.

**Immigration data pulled from the Department of Homeland Security does not include data for Palestinian immigration. AAI has reached out to attempt to gather the data and get a response from DHS but they have declined to do so.

Sources: American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates (2017), American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2013-2017), 2000 US Census– U.S. Census Bureau; Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2009-2016—Office of Immigration Statistics, Department of Homeland Security

©2019 Arab American Institute Foundation.

Arab American Population Growth

Immigrants By Country of Origin** (2009-2016)

Arab American Population by County, 2017

Take Action Now: Get out the Count in Illinois Today!

It’s on all of us to ensure that Arab Americans are fairly and accurately counted in the 2020 Census. Take the first step to getting involved in the campaign by signing the YallaCountMeIn census pledge to commit to filling out the census in 2020.

Next, plug in locally by reaching out to our YallaCountMeIn partners in your state who are committed to Getting Out the Count (GOTC) in your area!

Arab American Action Network, Hatem Abudayyeh

Arab American Family Services of Illinois, Nareman Taha

Arab-American Business & Professional Association, Talat Othman

IMEMC.org, Alexandra Halaby

Sanad, Aber Abueid

Syrian Community Network, Suzanne Akhras Sahloul

Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (MIRA), Laura Youngberg

University of Illinois at Chicago: Arab American Cultural Center, Nesreen Hasan

Arab American Bar Association of Illinois, Tony Abou Ezzi / AABA National

American Middle East Voters Alliance Political Action Committee (AMVOTE PAC), Hon. William Haddad

Chicago Palestine Film Festival, Khaled Elkhatib