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Passes our checks

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois Inc

EIN 36-3185383 · Woodstock, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO STRENGTHEN AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES THROUGH COUNSELING, EDUCATING, AND SERVING INDIVIDUALS IN MATTERS OF HOUSING AND PERSONAL FINANCE.

Income
$834,886
Spending
$909,818
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
5.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 65%
Employees
17
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$62,397, executive 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

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 5

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

  • 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, 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 (5)
  1. $653,008 spent. HOUSING COUNSELING - HUD APPROVED COUNSELING INCLUDING RENTAL, MORTGAGE DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, PREPURCHASE EDUCATION AND REVERSE MORTGAGE COUNSELING.
  2. $67,546 spent. DEBT MANAGEMENT - ALLOWS CLIENTS TO PAY OFF UNSECURED DEBT AT REDUCED INTEREST AND FEES.
  3. $62,682 spent. EDUCATION - CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED AT THE AGENCY CONCERNING BANKRUPTCY DISCHARGE AND PRE-PURCHASE CERTIFICATION FOR DOWN-PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. A VARIETY OF TOPICS ARE TAUGHT AT TOWNSHIPS,LIBRARIES AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TAILORED TO THE NEEDS OF THE AUDIENCE. CLASSES ARE TAUGHT AT AGENCIES SERVING HOMELESS WOMEN AND VETERANS AND AT TOWNSHIPS FOR THOSE RECEIVING GENERAL ASSISTANCE. SENIOR SERVICE CLASSES ADDRESS REVERSE MORTGAGE AND SCAM PREVENTION. FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOPS PRESENTED FOR PEOPLE IMPACTED BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AS THEY PREPARE TO RE-ENTER THEIR COMMUNITIES, REDUCING RECIDIVSM WHILE INCREASING THE INDIVIDUALS' ABILITY TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY, REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AND BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
  4. $12,218 spent. CREDIT COUNSELING - ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO CREATE BUDGETS, STABILIZE FINANCES AND REFER CLIENTS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.
  5. $6,121 spent. BANKRUPTCY COUNSELING & EDUCATION - ASSIST INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO CREATE BUDGETS, STABILIZE FINANCES AND REFER CLIENTS TO OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES.

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 1983.

    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.