Change Illinois

Chicago, IL · Founded 2012

Advocates for government transparency, election reform, and voter participation in Illinois

Primary audience
Illinois residents
Work area
Advocacy and education
Topic
Government reform
Contact
Ryan Tolley
Website Contact

About Organization

Change Illinois promotes honest and effective government, open elections, and high voter participation across Illinois. Based in Chicago, IL, the organization operates with 7 employees and 30 volunteers. In 2024, the organization reported $369,571 in revenue and holds $708,010 in total assets.

What They Focus On

Government Accountability

Promotes transparency, ethical conduct, and effective operations in Illinois state and local government through reform advocacy

Fair Elections

Advances open election systems, improved ballot access, and equitable redistricting to strengthen democratic participation

Civic Engagement

Educates and mobilizes Illinois residents to participate in governance, voting, and redistricting processes

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$370K

-37.9% vs 2022

Expenses (2024)

$429K

-32% vs 2022

Assets (2024)

$708K

-18.8% vs 2022

Employees (2024)

7

+0% vs 2022

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $369,571 $428,516 $708,010 7
2022 $594,774 $630,632 $872,348 7
2021 $775,639 $1,215,407 $912,601 9
2020 $1,095,123 $541,316 $1,330,902 5
2019 $922,401 $495,977 $773,377 8
2018 $368,802 $276,387 $349,589 4
2017 $276,122 $301,393 $249,978 4

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Research and Analysis

    Identify systemic issues in Illinois government operations, election processes, and redistricting practices

  • 02

    Policy Development

    Develop evidence-based reform proposals to improve transparency, fairness, and voter participation

  • 03

    Public Education

    Educate Illinois residents about government accountability, redistricting reforms, and electoral rights

  • 04

    Implementation Support

    Ensure successful implementation of reforms like the prison gerrymandering ban and transparent redistricting

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Change Illinois

Government Transparency

Advocates for accountability and openness in Illinois state and local government operations through policy reform and public education

Election Reform

Promotes fair election practices, improved ballot access, and reforms to ensure open and equitable electoral processes

Redistricting Reform

Implements Illinois' prison gerrymandering ban and supports transparent, community-powered redistricting at state and ward levels

Voter Participation

Educates Illinois residents about voting rights, redistricting processes, and civic engagement opportunities to increase participation

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Change Illinois.

Ryan Tolley

Ryan Tolley

Executive Director
20 hrs/week
Compensation: $122,962
DuShaun Branch Pollard

DuShaun Branch Pollard

Community Organizing Director
Emily Soriano

Emily Soriano

Advocacy Manager
Madeleine Doubek

Madeleine Doubek

Strategic Advisor
PW

Paula Wolff

Senior Advisor
2 hrs/week
AS

Adam Slade

Director
AS

Andy Shaw

Director
DH

Deborah Harrington

Director
HK

Hon Kathy Ryg

Director
HS

Hon Sheila Simon

Director

Milestones

2012

Organization Founded

2012

Change Illinois established to promote government transparency and election reform in Illinois

2014

Tax-Exempt Status

2014

Received IRS tax-exempt recognition to expand civic engagement and reform advocacy

2020

Revenue Peak

2020

Reached highest revenue of $1.1 million supporting election integrity and transparency initiatives

2025

Prison Gerrymandering Ban

2025

Illinois prison gerrymandering ban takes effect following organization's successful implementation efforts

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AS
Adam Slade Director 2.00 hrs/week
AL
Allen Linton II Co-Chair 2.00 hrs/week
AS
Andy Shaw Director 2.00 hrs/week
DH
Deborah Harrington Director 2.00 hrs/week
HK
Hon Kathy Ryg Director 2.00 hrs/week
HS
Hon Sheila Simon Director 2.00 hrs/week
JH
Jawad Hussain Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
ML
Mac Lebuhn Secretary 2.00 hrs/week
RV
Roberto Valdez Jr Co-Chair 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$128K

Highest Paid

$128K

Ryan Tolley

Compensated Officers

1

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Ryan Tolley Executive Director $122,962 $4,918 $127,880 20

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

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$59K

Total Forgiven

$59K

100% forgiven

Jobs Retained

5

Loan Details 1 loan

$58,500
Forgiven
Forgiven: $58,758 100%
Approved Apr 28, 2020
Lender Wintrust Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 5
Forgiven On Oct 13, 2020

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$151K Grants Received
1 Organizations

Top Funders

1 total
TC
The Chicago Community Trust 2 grants
$151K

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

Contact

Get in touch with Change Illinois

Phone

(312) 373-0706

Social

Visit Website
2045 W Grand Ave Suite B Pmb 33558 Chicago, IL 606121577