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South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association

EIN 36-2981932 · E Hazel Crest, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ASSOCIATION IS DEDICATED TO MEETING THE NEEDS OF MUNICIPALITIES IN THE AREA SOUTH OF CHICAGO, IL. THIS IS ACHIEVED BY POOLING RESOURCES FOR JOINT PURCHASING, EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND VARIOUS OTHER ISSUES COMMON TO ALL SOUTH SUBURBAN MUNICIPALITIES.

Income
$2.3 million
Spending
$1.9 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
23.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 60%
Employees
9
Highest pay
$182,834, executive di

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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 December 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 (5)
  1. $684,897 spent. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE SOUTH SUBURBS THROUGH TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND REGIONAL PLANNING COLLABORATION, WORKING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING DATA-DRIVEN REGIONAL PLANNING TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. WE HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PARTNER IN THE SOUTH SUBURBAN ECONOMIC GROWTH INITIATIVE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EFFORT TO STABILIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE SOUTH SUBURBS AND FOSTER EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF BUSINESS AND HOUSEHOLDS. THE ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH COOK COUNTY, THE CHICAGO SOUTHLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING AND OTHER BUSINESS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ENSURE THE REGION AND ITS PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MEET ITS FULL ECONOMIC POTENTIAL. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND USE, BLIGHT, PROPERTY TAX REFORM, AND OTHER ISSUES THAT AFFECT LAND USE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY. THE ASSOCIATION PRIORITIZES DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES WHICH FOCUS ON REBUILDING COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES AROUND TRANSIT, INTERMODAL FACILITIES AND MANUFACTURING, WHILE COMMITTING TO PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING ENTERPRISE ZONES: CAL-SAG, CALUMET REGION, LINCOLN & 394, AND WILL/COOK I- 57 ZONES, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITY ZONES WITHIN THE SOUTHLAND. THESE DESIGNATED ZONES WERE ESTABLISHED TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AREAS. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES WITHIN THE SOUTH SUBURBS THROUGH TARGETED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND REGIONAL PLANNING COLLABORATION, WORKING TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES BY PROVIDING DATA-DRIVEN REGIONAL PLANNING TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH AND PROSPERITY. WE HAVE BEEN AN INTEGRAL PARTNER IN THE SOUTH SUBURBAN ECONOMIC GROWTH INITIATIVE, A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EFFORT TO STABILIZE AND STRENGTHEN THE SOUTH SUBURBS AND FOSTER EQUITABLE, INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF BUSINESS AND HOUSEHOLDS. THE ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH COOK COUNTY, THE CHICAGO SOUTHLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE SOUTHLAND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING AND OTHER BUSINESS AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO ENSURE THE REGION AND ITS PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO MEET ITS FULL ECONOMIC POTENTIAL. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE, LAND USE, BLIGHT, PROPERTY TAX REFORM, AND OTHER ISSUES THAT AFFECT LAND USE AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY. THE ASSOCIATION PRIORITIZES DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES WHICH FOCUS ON REBUILDING COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMIES AROUND TRANSIT, INTERMODAL FACILITIES AND MANUFACTURING, WHILE COMMITTING TO PRESERVING AND IMPROVING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE FOLLOWING ENTERPRISE ZONES: CAL-SAG, CALUMET REGION, LINCOLN & 394, AND WILL/COOK I- 57 ZONES, AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITY ZONES WITHIN THE SOUTHLAND. THESE DESIGNATED ZONES WERE ESTABLISHED TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION IN ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED AREAS.
  2. $236,511 spent. IN COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, AND COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (CCDES), THE ASSOCIATION HAS OVERSEEN THE IDENTIFICATION, ASSESSMENT AND REMEDIATION OF FORMER INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL SITES THAT ARE CONSIDERED "BROWNFIELDS" DUE TO ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED CONTAMINATION AND CONTINUES TO PLAY A ROLE IN REVITALIZING FORMER BROWNFIELD SITES, PRIORITIZING THEIR REDEVELOPMENT, WORKING WITH MEMBER MUNICIPALITIES TO BRING UNDERUTILIZED SITES BACK INTO PRODUCTIVE REUSE. SSMMA CURRENTLY IS COLLABORATING WITH COOK COUNTY TO OVERSEE BROWNFIELD REMEDIATION OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF CONTAMINATED SITES UTILIZING DESIGNATED COUNTY ARPA FUNDS FOR PROJECTS WITHIN THE SOUTHLAND.
  3. $212,844 spent. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS SOUTH SUBURBAN/REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ROADWAY, FREIGHT, TRANSIT, AIR, BIKE, AND PEDESTRIAN MODES OF TRAVEL, AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PROJECTS. ASSOCIATION STAFF PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING AND ADMINISTERING FEDERAL AND STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS; RESEARCH AND REPORT PREPARATION AND AGENCY COORDINATION EFFORTS; AND SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEMBER COMMUNITIES' COMPLETE STREETS AND LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND OTHER REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, STUDIES AND PROGRAMS. THE ASSOCIATION ACTS AS A REGIONAL LIAISON IN PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING OF FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDS, LOCAL AND STATE HIGHWAY, TRANSIT AND BICYCLE PLANNING PROGRAMS, AND ASSISTS IN THE COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SOUTH COUNCIL CORRIDOR PLANNING COUNCIL SERVING THE SOUTH SUBURBAN REGION. IN 2025, THE ASSOCIATION OVERSAW AND MANAGED AN ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S STATEWIDE PLANNING AND RESEARCH GRANT PROJECT DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CALUMET TRIANGLE/TORRENCE AVENUE CORRIDOR REGION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CALUMET CITY, THE VILLAGE OF LANSING, AND THE VILLAGE OF SOUTH HOLLAND. THE ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS SOUTH SUBURBAN/REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO ROADWAY, FREIGHT, TRANSIT, AIR, BIKE, AND PEDESTRIAN MODES OF TRAVEL, AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PROJECTS. ASSOCIATION STAFF PROVIDES TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN OBTAINING AND ADMINISTERING FEDERAL AND STATE TRANSPORTATION FUNDS; RESEARCH AND REPORT PREPARATION AND AGENCY COORDINATION EFFORTS; AND SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MEMBER COMMUNITIES' COMPLETE STREETS AND LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ACTIVITIES AND OTHER REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, STUDIES AND PROGRAMS. THE ASSOCIATION ACTS AS A REGIONAL LIAISON IN PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING OF FEDERAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDS, LOCAL AND STATE HIGHWAY, TRANSIT AND BICYCLE PLANNING PROGRAMS, AND ASSISTS IN THE COORDINATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SOUTH COUNCIL CORRIDOR PLANNING COUNCIL SERVING THE SOUTH SUBURBAN REGION. IN 2025, THE ASSOCIATION OVERSAW AND MANAGED AN ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S STATEWIDE PLANNING AND RESEARCH GRANT PROJECT DEVELOPING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CALUMET TRIANGLE/TORRENCE AVENUE CORRIDOR REGION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF CALUMET CITY, THE VILLAGE OF LANSING, AND THE VILLAGE OF SOUTH HOLLAND.
  4. $311,976 spent. GIS CONSORTIUM, WATERSHED, IDOT CALUMET TRIANGLE, CSFN, MMC LIEEOE, MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL, AND FUNDRAISING
  5. GIS CONSORTIUM, WATERSHED, IDOT CALUMET TRIANGLE, CSFN, MMC LIEEOE, MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL, AND FUNDRAISING

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

    Status was revoked on October 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on October 15, 2013.

    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 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 March 2018.

    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.