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Library News

Be Counted: Census 2020

The census is mandated by the United States Constitution (Article 1, Section 2) to count every person living in the country every 10 years. The census data is used to reapportion the members of the U.S. House of Representatives and to redraw federal, state, and local legislative districts.

The data is also used to allocate federal funds for programs such as Head Start, schools, public transportation, roads and highways, housing assistance, and hospitals and health centers. (Census Fact Sheet: 5 Big Reasons to Fill Out Your Census Form and 50 Ways to Use Census 2020) In FY2016 the State of Illinois received $34,331,000,530 from 55 federal spending programs (see the list here).

What to expect in the mail:
  • March 12-20: an invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census
  • March 15-24: a reminder letter if you haven’t responded
  • March 26-April 3: a reminder postcard
  • April 8-16: a reminder letter and a paper questionnaire
  • April 20-27: a final reminder postcard
  • May-July: non-responsive follow-up period
  • July 31: last day to self-respond to the questionnaire
How can you respond?
  • Online: Starting on March 12, 2020 you will be able to respond online at my2020census.gov. Your invitation will include a unique code, or you can use your street address. You must complete your questionnaire in one session and can use a computer, smartphone, or laptop. The questionnaire should take about 10 minutes to complete.
  • By Phone: Call 844/330-2020 (for English speakers) to access the Census Questionnaire Assistance (CQA) phone lines which will be open March 9-July 31. The call centers will be available seven days per week from 6:00 am- 1:00 am CT. The CQA’s offer telephone assistance for speakers of 12 other languages.
  • By Mail: If you haven’t responded online or by phone, you will receive a paper questionnaire between April 8-16. (Some households may receive a paper questionnaire with their initial invitation.)
  • At Home: Census takers will visit households beginning May 13.
Questions on the Questionnaire
[note: there is no citizenship question on the 2020 Questionnaire]
  1. How many people are living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2020?
  2. Were there any additional people staying here on April 1, 2020, that you did not include in Question 1? [Who to Count factsheet]
  3. Is this a house, apartment, or mobile home owned by you or someone in this household with a mortgage or loan? Include home equity loans. Is it owned by you or someone in this household free and clear (without a mortgage or loan)? Rented? Occupied without payment of rent?
  4. What is your telephone number?
  5. What is Person 1’s name?
  6. What is person 1’s sex?
  7. What is person 1’s age and what is person 1’s date of birth?
  8. Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin?
  9. What is Person 1’s race?
  10. Print Name of Person 2.
  11. Does this person usually live or stay somewhere else?
  12. How is this person related to Person 1?
Census and Confidentiality
  • Your responses are protected by federal law. Responses are kept completely confidential.
  • Census Bureau can only use your responses to provide statistics.
  • Your responses cannot be used against you by any federal agency. (Title 13 of the U.S. Code)
  • How the Census Bureau Protects Your Data factsheet
Be aware of scams and fraud. The Census will never ask for the following information:
  • Social Security Number
  • Bank account or credit card numbers
  • Money or donations
  • Anything on behalf of a political party
  • Fake census takers: Census takers will have an ID badge with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. If you need further verification of their identity, call 800/923-8282 to speak to a census representative.
    Census links

    Looking for a temporary job? Apply here to work for the Census Bureau.

    If you have questions about the 2020 Census Questionnaire, need a place to fill out your questionnaire, or have any census related questions, ask us! Stop by the Information & Reader Services Desk or call us (847/681-7031).

    Updated: 6 March 2020

           

    For help in navigating the IRS and Illinois Department of Revenu web sites, prining forms, or online ordering of forms and instructions, please ask us at the Information & Reader Services Desk, email us at hppla@hplibrary.org, or call us at (847) 681-7031.  

    IRS Tax Forms and Publications for Individuals and Small Businesses  

    The IRS will supply the Library with the following IRS forms and instructions:
    • Forms 1040, 1040-SR and Schedules 1-3, A, B, C, and D 
    • 1040 Instruction booklets 
    • IRS Reproducible Forms  
    How to obtain IRS forms, instructions and publications:  
    • www.irs.gov: View, print, and download forms, instructions, and publications. 
    • www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/order-products: Online ordering of IRS forms, instructions, and publications for individuals and businesses/employers to receive print copies via U.S. mail. 
    • www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/ebook: Free downloadable ebook versions of popular tax publications and instruction booklets. 
    • (800) 829-3676: Call the IRS to order print forms, instructions, and publications via the U.S. mail. 
    Visit an IRS Office (Monday-Friday 8:30 am- 4:30 pm)  
    • 230 S. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60604 (312) 292-4912  
    • 5100 River Rd., Schiller Park, IL 60176 (847) 737-6688   
    • To make an appointment, call (844) 545-5640 
    Call the IRS:  
    • Individuals: (800) 829-1040 
    • Persons with Hearing Impairments: (800) 829-4059 
    • Businesses: (800) 829-4933 
    Mailing Your Federal Income Tax Return:
    • Requesting a Refund or No check enclosed: Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Fresno CA 93888-0002 
    • Enclosing a Check or Money Order: Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 802501, Cincinnati OH 45280-2501 

    Illinois Tax Forms and Publications for Individuals and Small Businesses   

    The Illinois Department of Revenue has supplied us with the following forms: 

    (note- we cannot request additional forms and instructions) 

    • IL 1040 form and 25 1040 Instruction Booklets 
    • IL Schedules E/EIC, ICR, and WIT 
    How to obtain Illinois forms, instructions and publications:  

    Tax. Illinois.gov: View and print forms, instructions, and publications (2019 forms will be available at the end of January 2020) and access to the Taxpayer Answer Center. 

    Call the Illinois Department of Revenue  
    (Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm) 
    • Forms Order Line: (800) 356-6302 (call 24/7) 
    • TTD: (800) 544-5304 
    • Assistance for Individuals: (800) 732-8866 or  
      (217) 782-3336 
    • Business Hot Line: (217) 524-4772 
    Visit an Illinois Department of Revenue Office 
    (Monday-Friday, 8:30 am- 5:00 pm) 
    • James R. Thompson Center, 7th Floor, 100 W. Randolph St., Chicago IL 60601 • (800) 732-8866 
    • Maine North Regional Building, 9511 Harrison Ave., Des Plaines, IL 60016 • (847) 294-4200 
    Mailing Your Illinois Income Tax Return 
    • No Payment enclosed: Illinois Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 19041, Springfield IL 62794-9041 
    • Payment enclosed: Illinois Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 19027, Springfield IL 62794-9027 

    Updated: 31 January 2020