Joliet Area Community Hospice Corporation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE LIGHTWAYS HOSPICE AND SERIOUS ILLNESS CARE IS TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, HOLISTIC, COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORT SERVICES AND CARE FOR TERMINALLY ILL PERSONS, THEIR CAREGIVERS AND LOVED ONES WITHOUT REGARD TO ECONOMIC STATUS, TO ENABLE THE DYING PERSON TO LIVE PEACEFULLY, IN COMFORT, AND WITH DIGNITY TO THE LAST MOMENT OF LIFE.
- Income
- $42.0 million
- Spending
- $35.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 15.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 86%
- Employees
- 315
- Volunteers
- 215
- Highest pay
- $678,672, medical 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $26.6 million spent. Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care delivers a coordinated program of support, services, and compassionate care for adults and children facing serious or terminal illness across eleven counties in Illinois. Care is provided in patients' homes, nursing facilities, and in a 24-bed inpatient hospice unit. In 2024, Lightways supported: - 2,795 patients through hospice care (including both adults and children) - 136 pediatric patients through its specialized non-hospice Pediatric Palliative Care Program - 701 individuals and families through grief counseling - 21 children through the annual Kids Grief Camp In addition, the Serious Illness Care Program provided 3,269 home visits, while 1,066 patients benefited from integrative therapies such as massage, music, and child life services. Lightways also invested more than $2.7 million in charity care and uncompensated services to ensure access for vulnerable populations. This included: - $288,000 in audited charity care - $776,000 for pediatric palliative care - $125,000 for child life specialists - $234,000 for nurse navigators - $803,000 for integrative therapies - $217,000 for non-reimbursed inpatient room and board - $174,000 for community bereavement services - $55,000 for community education - $25,000 in room rentals This comprehensive approach reflects Lightways' mission to provide compassionate, expert care and support to patients and families-regardless of age, diagnosis, or ability to pay.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1983.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.