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Easter Seals Joliet Region Inc

EIN 36-2300706 · Joliet, IL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF EASTER SEALS IS TO INCREASE INDEPENDENCE, MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES, MINIMIZE BARRIERS, AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES, THOSE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND THIER FAMILIES THROUGH DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS. EASTER SEALS IS ACCREDITED BY THE COMMISSION ON ACCREDITATION OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES AND LICENSED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES.

Income
$17.8 million
Spending
$17.3 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
6.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 85%
Employees
245
Volunteers
177
Highest pay
$227,113, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $7.0 million spent. PROVIDE COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENABLE THEM TO REACH THE LIMITS OF THEIR POTENTIAL. PROMOTE COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, INDEPENDENCE OF DAILY LIVING, HEALTH, AND ECONOMIC SELF SUFFICIENCY. DURING THE PAST YEAR, 21,900 NIGHTS OF CARE WERE DELIVERED TO 139 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE SERVED IN 24-HOUR AND INTERMITTENT SETTINGS. SOME OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED WERE BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, FAMILY SUPPORT, NURSING, NUTRITIONAL SERVICES. RECREATIONAL SERVICES. SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING.
  2. $4.3 million spent. PROVIDE EARLY INTERVENTION AND OUTPATIENT REHABILITATION THERAPY TO ENABLE DISABLED CHILDREN TO ENHANCE DEVELOPMENT, INDEPENDENCE, AND SELF-ESTEEM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION USING AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROGRAM BASED ON INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO MAXIMIZE A CHILD'S INDEPENDENCE. DURING THIS PAST YEAR, 3,388 CHILDREN RECEIVED SPEECH THERAPY, PHYSICAL THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPY, AUTISM SUPPORTS AND BEHAVIORAL COUNSELING. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE 4,142 CONSULTATIONS AND SCREENINGS COMPLETED AND 1,131 PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS RECEIVED TRAINING.
  3. $2.0 million spent. PROVIDE FOSTER HOMES FOR CHILDREN BOTH DISABLED AND NON-DISABLED WITH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF REUNITING FAMILIES, ADOPTION, OR INDEPENDENCE. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES ALTERNATIVE LIVING ARRANGEMNTS FOR THE DISABLED AND MEDICALLY CHALLENGED CHILD AT RISK OF HARM OR INSTITUTIONALIZATION. DURING THE PAST YEAR, 51 CHILDREN WERE SERVED IN 34 HOMES OVER 6 COUNTIES. SOME OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED WERE BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, NURSING, NUTRITIONAL SERVICES, RECREATIONAL SERVICES, SOCIAL WORK SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION, AND VOCATIONAL COUNSELING,
  4. $2.6 million spent. PROVIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES THROUGH A HOME VISITING PROGRAM FOR EXPECTING FAMILIES AND THOSE THAT HAVE CHILDREN 0-3 IN ORDER TO PROVIDE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS, ACTIVITIES, PARENTING ENRICHMENT, AND SUPPORT. DURING THE PAST YEAR, 341 FAMILIES AND 426 CHILDREN WERE SERVED THROUGH 4,657 PERSONAL VISITS. INCLUSIVE CHILD CARE SERVICES WERE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN AGES 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS WITH 44 CHILDREN RECEIVING THESE SERVICES OVER THE PAST YEAR. A NEW COMMUNITY DAY SERVICES PROGRAM WAS STARTED WITH 13 ADULTS RECEIVING SERVICES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 2001.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.