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Illinois Labor History Society

EIN 36-2695787 · Chicago, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceFair53 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 31% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE PRESERVATION AND STUDY OF LABOR HISTORY OF THE ILLINOIS REGION, TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAST TO THE PRESENT, AND THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES, TO SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF A VITAL LABOR MOVEMENT.

Income
$195,970
Spending
$115,244
Spent on programs
31%
Reserves
36.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
1
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$40,935, director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 138% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    31% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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. $21,094 spent. TO HOST LABOR HISTORY TOURS AND HELP BRING HISTORY TO LIFE, SHOWCASING THE STORIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FIGURES IN ILLINOIS LABOR HISTORY.
  2. $6,804 spent. TO HOST THE ANNUAL MAY DAY CELEBRATION HONORING THE HISTORIC EVENTS OF HAYMARKET SQUARE, FEATURING MUSIC, SPEECHES, LABOR HISTORY TOURS FOR HONORED GUESTS AND DEDICATION OF COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUES.
  3. $4,265 spent. TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN THE FOREST HOME CEMETERY HAYMARKET MARTYRS' MONUMENT, AND TO SUPPORT OTHER MARKERS AND MONUMENTS THAT HONOR AND COMMEMORATE THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
  4. $3,739 spent. TO PROMOTE THE PRESERVATION AND STUDY OF LABOR HISTORY OF THE ILLINOIS REGION, TO AROUSE PUBLIC INTEREST IN PROFOUND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PAST TO THE PRESENT AND SUPPORT THE GROWTH OF A VITAL LABOR MOVEMENT.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2019 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2019.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2024.

    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 November 4, 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.