Association Of Illinois Electric

Springfield, IL · Founded 1942

Statewide trade association providing support and advocacy for Illinois electric cooperatives

Primary audience
Electric Cooperatives
Work area
Trade Association
Topic
Utility Services
Contact
Craig Sondgeroth
Website Contact

About Organization

The Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives serves as the unified voice and resource hub for member electric cooperatives across Illinois. Based in Springfield, IL, the organization has operated since 1942, providing expertise and coordination services. With annual revenue of $7.5 million and a staff of 25 employees, the association supports cooperative utilities serving communities throughout the state.

What They Focus On

Cooperative Support

Delivering specialized expertise and operational resources to strengthen member electric cooperatives across Illinois

Industry Advocacy

Representing collective interests of member cooperatives in regulatory, legislative, and policy development processes

Education and Training

Providing educational programs and statewide research to advance cooperative knowledge and best practices

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$7.5M

+5.7% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$7.0M

+7.9% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$5.1M

+11.8% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

25

-19.4% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $7,529,744 $6,993,163 $5,067,739 25
2023 $7,123,286 $6,480,548 $4,532,885 31
2022 $6,790,714 $7,145,179 $3,573,467 31
2020 $6,211,932 $6,175,177 $4,658,434 28
2019 $6,078,354 $6,106,847 $4,223,610 31
2018 $6,518,835 $6,516,880 $4,713,983 39
2017 $6,421,813 $6,176,723 $4,230,612 36

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Member Engagement

    Consults with member cooperatives to identify shared needs and priority issues requiring collective action

  • 02

    Resource Development

    Creates specialized expertise, training materials, and support systems tailored to cooperative operations

  • 03

    Advocacy Execution

    Represents member interests before regulatory bodies, legislators, and industry stakeholders

  • 04

    Continuous Support

    Provides ongoing technical assistance and strategic guidance to strengthen cooperative performance

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Association Of Illinois Electric

Member Support Services

Provides operational expertise, technical assistance, and strategic guidance to member electric cooperatives across Illinois

Advocacy and Representation

Represents collective interests of member cooperatives in regulatory, legislative, and industry forums

Educational Programs

Conducts statewide surveys and training initiatives to advance cooperative knowledge and best practices

Unity Coordination

Facilitates collaboration and unified action among member cooperatives on shared challenges and opportunities

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Association Of Illinois Electric.

CS

Craig Sondgeroth

President/CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $250,476
DG

Daniel Gerard

Chief Technology Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $128,236
JS

Jennifer Sours

Chief Financial Officer
Full-time
Compensation: $98,457
JD

John David Sheppard

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $1,000
CW

Chris Wilcox

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
JG

Jerry Gaffner

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
KK

Kevin Kampwerth

Former Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
PB

Peter Borowski

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
RG

Robert Gerstenecker

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
RT

Rodney Timmermann

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
SK

Steve Kalmer

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
TH

Tyler Heyen

Alternate Director
0 hrs/week
Compensation: $500
NR

Nick Reitz

VP Of Legal/Govt Relations
Full-time
Compensation: $177,143
JM

Jim Miles

VP Of Training, Safety & L
Full-time
Compensation: $136,405
BC

Brenda Carter

VP Of Regulatory Complianc
Full-time
Compensation: $120,300
TF

Thad France

Manager Of Lineworker & Apprentice Development
Full-time
Compensation: $119,916
RB

Rebecca Barlow

Vice Chairman
1 hrs/week
Compensation: $4,500
RR

Rick Rubenacker

Chairman
1 hrs/week
Compensation: $4,500
AA

Alisha Anker

Director
BM

Bernard Marvel

Director
JM

Joe Marlo

Director
KB

Kevin Brannan

Director
KJ

Kevin Julian

Director
KL

Kevin Logan

Director
MB

Mark Burling

Director
PC

Philip Carson

Director
QS

Quentin Stenzel

Director
RH

Robert Holthaus

Director
RR

Ronald Richards

Director
TF

Tyler Finegan

Director
WG

Warren Goetsch

Director
AS

Ann Schwarm

Director
DF

Dennis Fredrickson

Director
FK

Frank Kobilsek

Director
JN

James Niemann

Director
JH

Jeffrey Hudson

Director
KL

Kevin Liefer

Director
LH

Larry Hosselton

Director
JT

Jerry Thurston

Director
JP

Justin Parcel

Director
KW

Kevin Wiegmann

Director
MR

Mel Repscher

Director
RC

Randall Campbell

Director

Milestones

1942

Association Founded

1942

Established to provide unified support for Illinois electric cooperatives during rural electrification era

1943

Federal Tax Recognition

1943

Received IRS ruling recognizing tax-exempt status as cooperative service organization

2018

Peak Staffing Level

2018

Reached maximum staff capacity of 39 employees to serve growing member needs

2024

Revenue Growth

2024

Achieved record annual revenue of $7.5 million supporting expanded member services

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AA
Alisha Anker Director 1.27 hrs/week · $4,500
BM
Bernard Marvel Director 1.22 hrs/week · $4,500
DS
David Senn Secretary 2.72 hrs/week · $4,500
JM
Joe Marlo Director 1.38 hrs/week · $4,500
KB
Kevin Brannan Director 2.35 hrs/week · $4,500
KJ
Kevin Julian Director 1.44 hrs/week · $4,500
KL
Kevin Logan Director 1.14 hrs/week · $4,500
MB
Mark Burling Director 1.59 hrs/week · $4,500
MC
Michael Cox Treasurer 1.18 hrs/week · $4,500
PC
Philip Carson Director 1.99 hrs/week · $4,500
QS
Quentin Stenzel Director 1.67 hrs/week · $4,500
RH
Robert Holthaus Director 1.65 hrs/week · $4,500
RR
Ronald Richards Director 2.54 hrs/week · $4,500
TF
Tyler Finegan Director 1.78 hrs/week · $4,500
WG
Warren Goetsch Director 1.38 hrs/week · $4,500
AS
Ann Schwarm Director 2.22 hrs/week · $4,000
DF
Dennis Fredrickson Director 1.44 hrs/week · $4,000
FK
Frank Kobilsek Director 1.50 hrs/week · $4,000
JN
James Niemann Director 1.00 hrs/week · $4,000
JH
Jeffrey Hudson Director 1.23 hrs/week · $4,000
KL
Kevin Liefer Director 1.28 hrs/week · $4,000
LH
Larry Hosselton Director 1.54 hrs/week · $4,000
JT
Jerry Thurston Director 2.94 hrs/week · $3,500
JP
Justin Parcel Director 0.88 hrs/week · $3,000
KW
Kevin Wiegmann Director 0.74 hrs/week · $3,000
MR
Mel Repscher Director 0.65 hrs/week · $3,000
RC
Randall Campbell Director 0.98 hrs/week · $3,000
RB
Rebecca Barlow Vice Chairman
RR
Rick Rubenacker Chairman

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.4M

Highest Paid

$287K

Craig Sondgeroth

Compensated Officers

15

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Craig Sondgeroth President/CEO $250,476 $36,579 $287,055 50
Nick Reitz VP Of Legal/GOVT Relations $177,143 $50,043 $227,186 50
Jim Miles VP Of Training, Safety & L $136,405 $65,568 $201,973 45
Thad France Manager Of Lineworker & Apprentice Development $119,916 $53,584 $173,500 45
Daniel Gerard Chief Technology Officer $128,236 $38,306 $166,542 45
Brenda Carter VP Of Regulatory Complianc $120,300 $40,158 $160,458 45
Jennifer Sours Chief Financial Officer $98,457 $26,099 $124,556 45
Alisha Anker Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.27
Bernard Marvel Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.22
David Senn Secretary $4,500 — $4,500 2.72
Joe Marlo Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.38
Kevin Brannan Director $4,500 — $4,500 2.35
Kevin Julian Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.44
Kevin Logan Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.14
Mark Burling Director $4,500 — $4,500 1.59

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$30K Grants Received
1 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total
NR
National Rural Utilities Cooperative
$30K

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
2 Registrations
2 Clients
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 2 total

Cannabis Business Association Of Illinois
1 filing
Self
Community Bankers Association Of Illinois
1 filing
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Association Of Illinois Electric

Phone

(217) 529-5561

Social

Visit Website
6460 S 6th St Frontage Rd E Springfield, IL 62712