PJ Powers, Artistic Director at Timeline Theatre Company | https://timelinetheatre.com/
PJ Powers, Artistic Director at Timeline Theatre Company | https://timelinetheatre.com/
The listed appropriations included two grants of $1,000,000 and $500,000, plus an additional grant of $400,000, all designated for programs or services funded by the State of Illinois.
These appropriations represent state-level funding authorized by lawmakers, reflecting what was approved in the budget, not necessarily disbursed. The funds cover only State of Illinois support and exclude federal, local, or other public sources.
Founded in 1997 by Nick Bowling, Timeline Theatre Company states that its mission is: “TimeLine Theatre Company presents stories inspired by history that connect with today’s social and political issues. Our collaborative organization produces provocative theatre and educational programs that engage, entertain and enlighten.”
You can learn more about the organization at its website.
In its most recent IRS Form 990 filing filing for tax year 2024, the organization reported $6,634,240 in total revenue. Of that, $1,122,900 came from government grants including federal, state, or local sources, making up 16.9% of total revenue.
The nonprofit listed $6,082,030 in contributions overall. It also reported $1,282,920 in non-cash contributions, such as donated goods or services, and $4,554,450 categorized under other contributions, which may include restricted donations, pledges, or bequests.
At the beginning of 2024, Timeline Theatre Company had $13,411,800 in assets. By the end of 2024, that figure had changed to $15,830,300, indicating an 18% growth in overall holdings.
According to its filing, public funding to Timeline Theatre Company surged in the last year. The group received $733,255 in government grants in 2023, compared to $1,122,900 in 2024—an increase of 53.1% year-over-year.
However, a Chicago City Wire analysis found that IRS filings frequently contain discrepancies when compared with publicly disclosed government grant reports and budgets.
Timeline Theatre Company is one of hundreds of nonprofits across Illinois that receive substantial support from state taxpayers while also fundraising privately.
In 2025, Illinois lawmakers introduced House Bill 1266, also known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Act. The proposal would create a new oversight body within the Office of the Auditor General tasked with identifying cost-saving measures, reviewing agency performance, and advising on audit priorities. If passed, DOGE could bring additional scrutiny and performance evaluation to taxpayer-funded organizations.
According to ProPublica, Illinois has more than 78,000 active tax-exempt organizations, including nearly 60,000 classified as charitable nonprofits. In their most recent IRS filings, these groups reported a combined revenue exceeding $156 billion.
| Fiscal Year | Total Grants/Contracts | Total Taxpayer $$ |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | $1,900,000 |
| Term | Name | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-2024 | Alvin Katz | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Anish Jethmalani | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Anne R Stockton | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Anne Beth Voshel | Vice President |
| 2024-2024 | Brian Douce | Treasurer |
| 2024-2024 | Eileen Lacario | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Ivan Rodriguez | Director |
| 2024-2024 | J Robert Barr | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Jo-Anne Dobrick | Director |
| 2024-2024 | John Estes Sterling Jr | President |
| 2024-2024 | Karen B Case | Secretary |
| 2024-2024 | Katherine Arias | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lawrence Gill | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Lolita Sereleas | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Maridee A Quanbeck | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Matthew Richard Reilein | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mica Cole Kamenski | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mica C Kamenski | Executive Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michael J Kennedy | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Michelle T Boone | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Mitchell Andrew Sabshon | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Patrick Powers | Artistic Director |
| 2024-2024 | Philip Cable | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Richard G Weinberg | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Sondra Healy | Director |
| 2024-2024 | Susan A Payne | Director |
| 2024-2024 | William A Obenshain | Director |
| Year | Name | Title | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sara Francis Thornton | Production Assistant | - |
| 2008 | Maureen Haugh Powers | Principal Member And Public Relations Director | - |
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