Illinois State Library

The Illinois Literacy Foundation

Illinois Literacy Foundation Fact Sheet

The Illinois Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit Foundation 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. 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. Over the past six years, The Illinois Literacy Foundation has partnered with the private sector to raise funds directly earmarked for local literacy programs. The Foundation sponsored a statewide Literacy Symposium in 2003.

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

President
Dr. Roberto Castaneda
Vice President
Nikki Zollar
Secretary
Eugene Mroz
Treasurer
Anthony Taylor

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

Thomas N. Benigno
Executive Director
Deputy Secretary of State

Board of Directors:
Joyce O. Calvert
Caroline Sanchez Crozier
Commissioner Mary Dempsey
Richard Dent
Margaret J. O'Connor
Dr. Frank W. Gardner

Members Emeritus
Claudia Dunne
John Rosales