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The Illinois Center for Autism

EIN 37-1023452 · Fairview Hts, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EDUCATING AND SERVING CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH AUTISM TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE WITHIN THEIR HOME, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$8.2 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
151
Volunteers
66
Highest pay
$138,556, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 June 30, 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 (3)
  1. $5.9 million spent. EDUCATION SERVICES- THIS PROGRAM EMPHASIZED AGE APPROPRIATE LEARNING ACTIVITIES. INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PLANS AND BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED FOR ALL STUDENTS AGES 3-21. POSITIVE BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO REPLACE UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 23,662 DAYS OF SERVICE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
  2. $303,181 spent. CLIENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT- THIS PROGRAM OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES DESIGNED TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN THE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER WITH AUTISM. MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS ARE HELD AT THE CENTER. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 7,371 HOURS OF DIRECT SERVICE DURING THE PAST YEAR.
  3. $1.2 million spent. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT-THE PURPOSE OF THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS TO FACILITATE AND ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION OF ADULTS WITH AUTISM. A WIDE CONTINUUM OF SERVICES IS OFFERED BEGINNING WITH THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OF YOUNG ADULTS AS THEY TRANSITION FROM A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT TO DESIRED POST-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. OTHER SERVICES INCLUDE FACILITATION OF INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS, TRANSPORTATION TRAINING AND RECREATIONAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES. OUR SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES COMMUNICATION SKILLS SUPPORT, SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING, AND SUPPORTIVE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES. SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS WORK AT BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY AND RECEIVE ASSISTANCE FROM JOB COACHES ON-SITE. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED 45,346 HOURS OF SERVICE DURING THE YEAR.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 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 October 1978.

    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.

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