Illinois State Library

The Illinois Literacy Foundation

Literacy Donation Program Recipients

Holiday Literacy Donation Program

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. OBi-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. In 2002, The Foundation Board and DePaul University co-sponsored a statewide Literacy Symposium. In addition, the Board has partnered with BORDERS Super Store annually to promote the Annual Literacy Donation Program , which benefits local literacy programs.

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

President
Dr. Roberto Castaneda
Vice President
Nikki Zollar
Secretary
Joyce O. Calvert
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:
Eugene Mroz
Caroline Sanchez Crozier
Commissioner Mary Dempsey
Richard Dent
Dr. Frank W. Gardner
Margaret J. O'Connor

Members Emeritus
Claudia Dunne
John Rosales

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.