Illinois State Library

The Illinois Literacy Foundation

Literacy Donation Program Recipients

The Illinois Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit Foundation (501c3) created in 1992 by the Office of the Secretary of State in accordance with Section 10 of the State Agency Entity Creation Act. This current Board was appointed in 1999 by the Secretary of State and is comprised of 11 members and meets quarterly. The purposes of the Foundation are to promote literacy among the residents of the State of Illinois by supporting literacy programs and enhancing Statewide literacy awareness; to make grants and gifts in aid and support of the goal; and to engage generally in other lawful endeavors consistent with the foregoing purposes. These purposes are reflected in its mission statement. Funds collected by the Foundation shall be considered private funds and shall be held in an appropriate account outside of the State Treasury. Bi-annual audits are completed by the Office of the Auditor General of the State of Illinois and reported to the Illinois Legislative Audit Commission, the Governor and members of the General Assembly.

Honorable Jesse White
Ex-Officio Director
Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian

President
Anthony Taylor

Vice President
Caroline Sanchez Crozier

Treasurer
Dr. Roberto Castaneda

Recording Secretary - By Appointment
Joyce O. Calvert

For more information:
jdicianni at ilsos.net
The Illinois Literacy Foundation
J.R. Thompson Center
P.O.Box 64386
Chicago, Il.60664-0386

Thomas N. Benigno
Executive Director
Deputy Secretary of State
Chief of Staff

Board of Directors:
George Burciaga
Sunny Chico
Richard Dent
Roderick Hawkins
Michael C. Mroz
Crystal Reynolds
Nikki Zollar

Member Emeritus
Commissioner
Mary Dempsey

Designate for Joyce O. Calvert
Heather Bookstaver

The Mission of The Illinois Literacy Foundation is to partner with the corporate and private sectors to enhance literacy awareness and support literacy programs throughout the State of Illinois. Therefore, in collaboration with corporate and private entities, local businesses and state agencies, the Foundation strives to promote the enjoyment of reading and learning by addressing the literacy needs of the people of Illinois.

From 1999-2011, Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, the Illinois Literacy Foundation, Barnes and Noble and Borders Inc./Walden book stores partnered to raise over 1.4 million dollars from customers to enhance literacy awareness and local literacy initiatives in Illinois.

Pursuant to the Accountability for the Investment of Public Funds Act (30 ILCS 237/), the average daily balance of the treasury of the Illinois Literacy Foundation for the preceding month was $27,119.05. The interest earned for the preceding month was $3.45. The treasury of the Illinois Literacy Foundation is deposited at Associated Bank N.A..